Quick charity verification for First Defense Legal Aid (EIN: 10729555)
Verdict: First Defense Legal Aid appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$853KRevenue
$328KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation may obscure actual leadership compensation if it's categorized differently, warranting further investigation.
Strengths
Strong program spending ratio, indicated by 0% officer compensation across all filings.
Significant and consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $166,275 in 2011 to $853,378 currently.
Healthy asset growth, from $45,933 in 2011 to $328,291 currently, indicating improved financial stability.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates good transparency.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting sound financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How First Defense Legal Aid allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 First Defense Legal Aid
Is First Defense Legal Aid a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, First Defense Legal Aid (EIN: 10729555) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is First Defense Legal Aid a good charity to donate to?
First Defense Legal Aid has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $853K. Assets: $328K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for First Defense Legal Aid?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for First Defense Legal Aid is 10729555. 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 First Defense Legal Aid spend its money?
First Defense Legal Aid allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify First Defense Legal Aid's tax-exempt status?
You can verify First Defense Legal Aid's tax-exempt status using EIN 10729555 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
First Defense Legal Aid demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission of providing legal aid, as evidenced by its program spending. Over the past several years, the organization has shown significant growth in revenue, from $166,275 in 2011 to $853,378 most recently, indicating increasing support for its services. The organization's assets have also grown substantially, from $45,933 in 2011 to $328,291 currently, suggesting improved financial stability.
Spending efficiency appears to be a strong point, with a high percentage of expenses typically directed towards program services. For instance, in the 202006 period, expenses were $637,267 against revenues of $631,126, with no officer compensation reported, which often indicates a lean operational structure. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a strong focus on directing funds to direct services rather than executive salaries.
Transparency is high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the clear reporting of financial metrics. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of their financial transparency, indicating that executive leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, or that the organization operates with a very flat compensation structure. This practice, while potentially beneficial for program spending, warrants further inquiry to fully understand the compensation model.