Is Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library Legit?

Quick charity verification for Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library (EIN: 200822883)

Verdict: Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score
$98KRevenue
$274KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library

Is Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library (EIN: 200822883) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library a good charity to donate to?

Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $98K. Assets: $274K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library is 200822883. 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 Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library spend its money?

Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library's tax-exempt status using EIN 200822883 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 Foundation For The Cleveland Public Library exhibits a mixed financial picture. While the organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, indicating good financial hygiene and a volunteer-driven leadership, its financial stability appears volatile. For instance, in 2023, expenses significantly outstripped revenue ($217,292 vs. $99,456), leading to a substantial net loss. This contrasts sharply with 2022, where revenue ($114,107) far exceeded expenses ($17,746), suggesting inconsistent operational funding or significant one-time expenditures/revenues. The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the large fluctuations in expenses relative to revenue raise questions about long-term financial planning and sustainability. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong positive for transparency and donor confidence, as it implies that all funds are directed towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries. However, the lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency. Overall, the Foundation demonstrates strong transparency regarding executive compensation and liabilities. However, the significant year-to-year swings in financial performance, particularly the large deficit in 2023, suggest potential challenges in consistent fundraising or managing operational costs. Donors might seek more detailed information on how funds are allocated across programs, administration, and fundraising to fully understand the organization's operational efficiency and impact.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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

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