Quick charity verification for Ellensburg Downtown Association (EIN: 201395402)
Verdict: Ellensburg Downtown Association appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$315KRevenue
$246KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant deficit in 2023 ($251,727 revenue vs. $354,757 expenses)
Decrease in assets from $400,624 in 2022 to $290,063 in 2023
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings
Long history of IRS 990 filings demonstrating transparency
Generally low liabilities relative to assets
Periods of strong revenue generation and asset growth (e.g., 2021-2022)
Spending Breakdown
How Ellensburg Downtown Association 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 Ellensburg Downtown Association
Is Ellensburg Downtown Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ellensburg Downtown Association (EIN: 201395402) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ellensburg Downtown Association a good charity to donate to?
Ellensburg Downtown Association has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $315K. Assets: $246K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ellensburg Downtown Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ellensburg Downtown Association is 201395402. 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 Ellensburg Downtown Association spend its money?
Ellensburg Downtown Association allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ellensburg Downtown Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ellensburg Downtown Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 201395402 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
The Ellensburg Downtown Association demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though recent trends show some volatility. In 2023, the organization experienced a deficit, with expenses of $354,757 exceeding revenue of $251,727, leading to a decrease in assets from $400,624 in 2022 to $290,063. This contrasts with 2022 and 2021, where revenues significantly outpaced expenses, allowing for asset growth. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation towards its mission rather than executive salaries. Their liabilities have remained relatively low, indicating good financial management in terms of debt.
Spending efficiency appears to fluctuate. While specific program spending percentages aren't detailed in the provided data, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead at the top level. However, the 2023 deficit warrants closer examination to understand the nature of the increased expenses and whether they were program-related or administrative. The organization's long filing history (14 filings) indicates a consistent commitment to transparency through regular IRS reporting.
Overall, the Ellensburg Downtown Association appears to be a transparent organization with a history of sound financial management, though the recent financial year (2023) shows a concerning deficit that should be monitored. Their consistent asset base over the years, despite fluctuations, suggests a resilient operational model. The absence of officer compensation is a strong positive for donor confidence.