Is Fort Smith Barbeque Society Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Fort Smith Barbeque Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Fort Smith Barbeque Society

Is Fort Smith Barbeque Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Fort Smith Barbeque Society (EIN: 200309176) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Fort Smith Barbeque Society a good charity to donate to?

Fort Smith Barbeque Society has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $3K. Assets: $1. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Fort Smith Barbeque Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Fort Smith Barbeque Society is 200309176. 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 Fort Smith Barbeque Society spend its money?

Fort Smith Barbeque Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Fort Smith Barbeque Society's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Fort Smith Barbeque Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 200309176 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 Fort Smith Barbeque Society appears to be a very small, volunteer-run organization, as indicated by its consistently low revenue and zero reported officer compensation across all ten years of filings. Its financial health shows significant volatility, with recent years (2015-2020) frequently reporting expenses exceeding revenue, leading to a decline in assets from a high of $18,046 in 2014 to just $1 in 2020. The latest filing shows revenue of $2,750 against expenses of $10,495, indicating a substantial deficit. Given the minimal assets and revenue, the organization's operational capacity is extremely limited.

Spending efficiency is difficult to assess precisely without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation suggests that administrative overhead related to salaries is non-existent, which is a positive indicator for a small, volunteer-driven group. The significant drop in assets and the recurring deficits raise questions about the sustainability of its operations, even at a small scale. The NTEE code P12 (Food, Agriculture, & Nutrition) suggests a program focus, but the financial data alone doesn't detail how the expenses are allocated between programs, administration, and fundraising.

Transparency is generally good in terms of filing history, with ten years of data available. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a clear sign of a volunteer-led structure. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided summary makes it challenging to fully understand the allocation of funds. The organization's minimal financial footprint and volunteer nature suggest a focus on community engagement rather than large-scale programmatic spending, which aligns with its NTEE code.

Is Fort Smith Barbeque Society Legit?

Verdict: Fort Smith Barbeque Society shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths