Is Fair Lawn Community Center Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Fair Lawn Community Center Inc (EIN: 200984426)

Verdict: Fair Lawn Community Center Inc appears trustworthy

70/100Mission Score

$855KRevenue

$4.0MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant and continuous decline in assets over the past decade, from $8.7M to $4.0M, without clear explanation in provided data.
Large deficit in 2014 with only $264 in revenue against $457,167 in expenses, which is an outlier in its financial history.

Strengths

Consistent revenue generation, averaging around $800,000 annually.
Robust filing history with 12 IRS 990 filings, indicating good transparency.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting efficient use of funds for leadership or volunteer-led structure.
Expenses generally align with revenue, indicating funds are being utilized for operations.

Spending Breakdown

How Fair Lawn Community Center Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Fair Lawn Community Center Inc

Is Fair Lawn Community Center Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Fair Lawn Community Center Inc (EIN: 200984426) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Fair Lawn Community Center Inc a good charity to donate to?

Fair Lawn Community Center Inc has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $855K. Assets: $4.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Fair Lawn Community Center Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Fair Lawn Community Center Inc is 200984426. 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 Fair Lawn Community Center Inc spend its money?

Fair Lawn Community Center Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Fair Lawn Community Center Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Fair Lawn Community Center Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200984426 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

Fair Lawn Community Center Inc demonstrates consistent revenue generation, averaging around $800,000 annually over the past decade, with the latest reported revenue at $855,387. The organization consistently spends close to its revenue, indicating that funds are being utilized for its operations. A notable aspect of its financial health is the significant and continuous decline in assets, from $8,713,317 in 2013 to $4,018,331 currently, alongside a corresponding decrease in liabilities from $10,959,610 to $7,143,377. This trend suggests a potential restructuring or divestment of assets, which warrants further investigation to understand its long-term implications for the organization's stability and capacity.

Regarding spending efficiency, the organization's expenses generally align with its revenue, indicating that it is not accumulating large surpluses or deficits year over year, with a few exceptions like 2014 where revenue was negligible but expenses were substantial. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or externally compensated leadership structure, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation towards programs rather than administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging.

In terms of transparency, the organization has a robust filing history with 12 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating a commitment to public disclosure. The consistent reporting of officer compensation as 0% is a clear and transparent disclosure. However, the significant changes in assets and liabilities over the years, particularly the substantial reduction in assets, would benefit from more detailed explanations within the filings or on their public platforms to fully understand the financial strategy and its impact on the organization's mission.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.