Is Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc (EIN: 201566292)
Verdict: Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent revenue generation in the multi-millions (e.g., $7,047,975 in 2015).
Healthy financial surpluses, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses (e.g., $7,047,975 revenue vs. $6,228,905 expenses in 2015).
No reported officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in executive overhead.
Consistent growth in assets over time, from $400,232 in 2011 to $1,123,852 in 2015.
Strong program focus implied by the nature of the organization and consistent financial activity.
Spending Breakdown
How Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc
Is Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc (EIN: 201566292) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc a good charity to donate to?
Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc is 201566292. 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 Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc spend its money?
Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201566292 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
Federal Defenders Of Western North Carolina Inc consistently demonstrates strong financial health, with revenues generally exceeding expenses across its filing history. For instance, in 2015, the organization reported revenues of $7,047,975 against expenses of $6,228,905, indicating a healthy surplus. The organization's assets have also shown growth, reaching $1,123,852 in 2015, which are fully offset by liabilities, suggesting a pass-through or grant-funded operational model where funds are quickly disbursed for their intended purpose. This structure, where liabilities match assets, is common for organizations that receive and distribute government funding or operate on a reimbursement basis, indicating good stewardship of funds rather than accumulation.
Spending efficiency appears high, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses and the nature of their work providing legal defense, which typically involves direct program costs. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive leadership may be compensated through other means (e.g., government salaries if it's a federal entity) or that the organization operates with a volunteer executive board, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The organization's consistent financial activity over the years, with revenues in the multi-millions, points to a stable and well-funded operation.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially indicating a specific operational structure, also means there are no concerns regarding excessive executive pay. The consistent reporting of assets matching liabilities suggests a clear and accountable flow of funds, which is a strong positive for transparency and financial management.