Quick charity verification for Dayton Mercy Society (EIN: 208296537)
Verdict: Dayton Mercy Society appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$487KRevenue
$1.3MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $230,391 in 2011 to $458,759 in 2020.
Strong financial health with assets of $1,264,026 and zero liabilities reported in 2020.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue, leading to healthy surpluses.
No officer compensation reported across all ten filings, indicating potential for high efficiency in leadership costs.
Stable asset base over the past decade, demonstrating prudent financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How Dayton Mercy Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Dayton Mercy Society
Is Dayton Mercy Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Dayton Mercy Society (EIN: 208296537) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Dayton Mercy Society a good charity to donate to?
Dayton Mercy Society has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $487K. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Dayton Mercy Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Dayton Mercy Society is 208296537. 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 Dayton Mercy Society spend its money?
Dayton Mercy Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Dayton Mercy Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Dayton Mercy Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 208296537 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
Dayton Mercy Society demonstrates a consistent pattern of financial stability and growth over the past decade. In 2020, the organization reported revenue of $458,759 against expenses of $207,358, resulting in a significant surplus that contributed to its robust asset base of $1,264,026 with zero liabilities. This trend of revenue exceeding expenses is generally positive, indicating sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. The organization's assets have remained relatively stable, fluctuating around the $1.1 million to $1.3 million mark over the ten-year period, suggesting a conservative approach to asset management.
The absence of reported officer compensation across all ten filings is a notable aspect of their financial structure, indicating that leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which can contribute to lower administrative costs. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) within the provided data, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent lack of liabilities is a strong indicator of financial health and low risk.
While the overall financial picture appears healthy, the lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and program focus. Transparency regarding how the $207,358 in expenses for 2020 was allocated would provide a clearer understanding of their operational priorities and impact. The consistent growth in revenue, from $230,391 in 2011 to $458,759 in 2020, alongside controlled expenses, points to a well-managed organization.