Is Downtown Community Television Center Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Downtown Community Television Center Inc (EIN: 132742777)
Verdict: Downtown Community Television Center Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$7.1MRevenue
$8.4MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant operating deficits in recent years (2022 and 2023)
High volatility in annual revenue and expenses, making financial planning challenging
Decline in assets from $12.1 million in 2021 to $8.5 million in 2023
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong resource allocation to mission
Substantial asset base ($8.5 million in 2023) provides some financial cushion
Demonstrated ability to manage and reduce liabilities significantly from 2020 peak
Spending Breakdown
How Downtown Community Television Center 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 Downtown Community Television Center Inc
Is Downtown Community Television Center Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Downtown Community Television Center Inc (EIN: 132742777) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Downtown Community Television Center Inc a good charity to donate to?
Downtown Community Television Center Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $7.1M. Assets: $8.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Downtown Community Television Center Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Downtown Community Television Center Inc is 132742777. 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 Downtown Community Television Center Inc spend its money?
Downtown Community Television Center Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Downtown Community Television Center Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Downtown Community Television Center Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132742777 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
Downtown Community Television Center Inc (DCTV) exhibits a fluctuating financial landscape over the past decade. While the organization's revenue and assets have seen significant growth, particularly between 2019 and 2021, there have also been periods of substantial net losses, such as in 2022 and 2023 where expenses exceeded revenue by over $2.5 million and $700,000 respectively. This indicates potential challenges in maintaining financial stability despite periods of high income. The organization's asset base has generally grown, reaching a peak of over $12 million in 2021, but has since declined to $8.5 million in 2023, suggesting a draw-down on reserves or asset depreciation.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, it's challenging to give a precise assessment. However, the consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings is a notable positive indicator for transparency and potentially for directing more funds towards mission-related activities. The significant swings in revenue and expenses, from $3.3 million in revenue in 2022 to $18 million in 2021, suggest that DCTV may rely on large, intermittent grants or projects, which can make long-term financial planning and consistent spending efficiency more difficult to assess without further context on the nature of these fluctuations.
Overall, DCTV demonstrates a commitment to transparency in executive compensation. However, the volatility in its financial performance, particularly the recent operating deficits, warrants closer examination to understand the sustainability of its operations and its ability to consistently fund its programs. The organization's ability to manage these financial swings will be key to its long-term health and impact.