Quick charity verification for Downline Ministries (EIN: 201374884)
Verdict: Downline Ministries appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.5MRevenue
$1.3MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated or if it's entirely volunteer-run.
Occasional years where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 202207 ($1,172,274 expenses vs. $1,144,716 revenue), indicating periods of deficit spending.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset base, generally over $1 million, indicating financial stability.
Consistent revenue stream, typically ranging from $1.1 million to $1.8 million annually.
Positive net income in the most recent filing (202307), with revenue exceeding expenses by $89,226.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management and solvency.
Spending Breakdown
How Downline Ministries 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 Downline Ministries
Is Downline Ministries a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Downline Ministries (EIN: 201374884) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Downline Ministries a good charity to donate to?
Downline Ministries has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.5M. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Downline Ministries?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Downline Ministries is 201374884. 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 Downline Ministries spend its money?
Downline Ministries allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Downline Ministries's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Downline Ministries's tax-exempt status using EIN 201374884 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
Downline Ministries demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues generally fluctuating around the $1.1M to $1.8M range over the past decade. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, consistently over $1M, indicating a stable financial foundation. While expenses have occasionally exceeded revenue, such as in 202207 ($1,172,274 expenses vs. $1,144,716 revenue) and 202007 ($1,317,668 expenses vs. $1,183,710 revenue), the overall trend shows a responsible approach to managing resources, with the most recent filing (202307) showing a positive net of $89,226 ($1,369,484 revenue - $1,280,258 expenses).
The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly regarding executive compensation. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests that the leadership either serves on a volunteer basis or is compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which warrants further investigation for complete understanding. However, the consistent disclosure is a positive sign. The NTEE code X20 (Religious Organizations) is broad, and a more detailed breakdown of program spending would enhance understanding of their mission effectiveness.
Overall, Downline Ministries appears to be a financially stable organization with a consistent revenue stream and a strong asset base. Their commitment to transparency regarding officer compensation is a significant strength. Further detail on program spending would allow for a more granular assessment of their spending efficiency.