Is Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center Legit?
Quick charity verification for Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center (EIN: 200023859)
Verdict: Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$507KRevenue
$513KAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 ($431,867 expenses vs. $353,375 revenue), indicating a deficit for the period.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to program spending.
Stable asset base, consistently around $500,000, indicating financial resilience.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center
Is Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center (EIN: 200023859) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center a good charity to donate to?
Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $507K. Assets: $513K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center is 200023859. 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 Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center spend its money?
Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 200023859 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
Elkader Community Child Care And Learning Center demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently around half a million dollars over the past decade. While revenue has fluctuated, showing a significant jump to $532,698 in 2022 before dipping to $353,375 in 2023, the organization has managed its expenses, often operating with a slight deficit or surplus. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for efficiency and transparency. However, the recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $431,867 against $353,375 in revenue, warrants monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability.
The organization's NTEE code P33 (Child Day Care) suggests a clear program focus. Without detailed expense breakdowns from the 990, it's challenging to precisely determine spending efficiency ratios for programs, administration, and fundraising. However, the absence of officer compensation implies that a significant portion of operational costs likely goes directly to program delivery and essential administrative functions. The consistent filing history over 13 periods indicates good compliance and transparency in reporting to the IRS.