Is Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association Legit?

Quick charity verification for Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association (EIN: 203565412)

Verdict: Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$77KRevenue

$218KAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Expenses exceeded revenue in 2022 and 2023, leading to net operating losses.
Liabilities increased significantly from $7,503 in 2021 to $44,583 in 2023, warranting monitoring.

Strengths

Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates transparency and compliance.
0% officer compensation across all filings indicates volunteer leadership and low administrative overhead.
Steady asset growth over the past decade, from $154,569 in 2014 to $242,583 in 2023.
Clear and focused mission as indicated by NTEE code Y50 (Cemeteries and Burial Services).

Spending Breakdown

How Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association

Is Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association (EIN: 203565412) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association a good charity to donate to?

Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $77K. Assets: $218K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association is 203565412. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association spend its money?

Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 203565412 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Cushing Fairlawn New Zion Cemetery Association demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $60,000 to $120,000 annually over the past decade. The organization's assets have shown growth, reaching $242,583 in 2023, up from $154,569 in 2014, indicating a stable, albeit modest, accumulation of resources. However, the organization has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 ($122,057 expenses vs. $116,640 revenue) and 2022 ($109,609 expenses vs. $85,104 revenue), suggesting a need for careful financial management to maintain long-term sustainability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-driven leadership, which is a positive sign for minimizing administrative overhead.

The organization's NTEE code Y50 (Cemeteries and Burial Services) suggests a clear, focused mission. Given the nature of cemetery operations, a significant portion of expenses would typically be directed towards land maintenance, upkeep, and related services, which can be considered program-related. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency. While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not detailed in the provided summary, the lack of officer compensation implies a lean operational structure.

Overall, the association appears to be a stable, community-focused entity managing its resources to fulfill its mission. The recent increase in liabilities to $44,583 in 2023, up from $7,503 in 2021, warrants attention to ensure it remains manageable relative to assets and revenue. The consistent revenue generation and asset growth, coupled with volunteer leadership, point to a generally healthy financial position for its operational scale.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.