Quick charity verification for Elca Outreach Center Inc (EIN: 20638260)
Verdict: Elca Outreach Center Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$587KRevenue
$428KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022)
Revenue volatility, with significant fluctuations year-over-year (e.g., $1,134,812 in 2019 vs. $411,877 in 2022)
Strengths
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong volunteer leadership or efficient compensation structures.
Healthy asset base relative to liabilities (e.g., $448,727 assets vs. $33,358 liabilities in 2023).
Extensive filing history (13 filings) demonstrating consistent compliance and transparency.
Strong revenue year in 2021 ($728,559) and 2019 ($1,134,812) shows capacity for significant fundraising.
Spending Breakdown
How Elca Outreach 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 Elca Outreach Center Inc
Is Elca Outreach Center Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elca Outreach Center Inc (EIN: 20638260) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Elca Outreach Center Inc a good charity to donate to?
Elca Outreach Center Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $587K. Assets: $428K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Elca Outreach Center Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Elca Outreach Center Inc is 20638260. 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 Elca Outreach Center Inc spend its money?
Elca Outreach Center Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Elca Outreach Center Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Elca Outreach Center Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 20638260 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
Elca Outreach Center Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though recent years show expenses exceeding revenue. In 2023, the organization reported $537,830 in revenue against $610,894 in expenses, indicating a deficit. This trend was also observed in 2022, with $411,877 in revenue and $484,973 in expenses. While the organization maintains a healthy asset base of $448,727 in 2023, the consistent operational deficits could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed. The organization's NTEE code P28 suggests a focus on human services, which aligns with its mission as an 'Outreach Center'.
The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly regarding executive compensation. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a strong positive for donor confidence. The detailed filing history provides a clear picture of financial trends over time, allowing for thorough analysis. The relatively low liabilities compared to assets also suggests good financial management.
However, the recurring deficits in recent years (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015) warrant attention. While some years show surpluses (2021, 2020, 2017, 2014), the recent trend of spending more than it takes in could erode its asset base over time. Donors should monitor future filings to ensure the organization returns to a more sustainable financial model. The lack of specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a detailed efficiency analysis, but the overall financial health appears managed, albeit with recent operational challenges.