Quick charity verification for Decatur Book Festival Inc (EIN: 208669575)
Verdict: Decatur Book Festival Inc appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$501KRevenue
$317KAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Dramatic decline in revenue from $803,450 in 2018 to $3,836 in 2023, indicating potential instability.
Unusual negative liabilities reported in 2023 and 2022 filings (e.g., $-4,191 in 2023).
Expenses ($18,263) significantly exceeded revenue ($3,836) in 2023, leading to a net loss.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Historically managed large-scale events with revenues exceeding $750,000 annually (2015-2018).
Spending Breakdown
How Decatur Book Festival Inc 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 Decatur Book Festival Inc
Is Decatur Book Festival Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Decatur Book Festival Inc (EIN: 208669575) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Decatur Book Festival Inc a good charity to donate to?
Decatur Book Festival Inc has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $501K. Assets: $317K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Decatur Book Festival Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Decatur Book Festival Inc is 208669575. 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 Decatur Book Festival Inc spend its money?
Decatur Book Festival Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Decatur Book Festival Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Decatur Book Festival Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208669575 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
Decatur Book Festival Inc. has experienced significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past several years, peaking in 2018 with over $800,000 in revenue and then declining sharply to $3,836 in 2023. This volatility suggests potential operational challenges or a shift in its event model. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead. However, the negative liabilities reported in 2023 and 2022 ($-4,191 and $-798 respectively) are unusual and could indicate reporting errors or specific accounting adjustments that warrant further investigation for full transparency. The substantial drop in assets from $299,569 in 2021 to $138,440 in 2023, alongside the revenue decline, points to a contraction in the organization's scale and financial capacity.