Quick charity verification for Franklin Center (EIN: 161671503)
Verdict: Franklin Center appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$8.8MRevenue
$18.9MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeding revenue in the latest fiscal period (202407), indicating an operational deficit.
Significant fluctuations in liabilities over recent years, peaking at over $6 million in 202207.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if reported elsewhere.
Strengths
Substantial growth in assets over the past decade, reaching $18,919,532 in the latest period.
Strong revenue generation, with annual revenue consistently in the millions, peaking over $11 million in 2021 and 2022.
Positive net assets, indicating financial stability despite recent operational deficits.
Spending Breakdown
How Franklin Center allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Franklin Center
Is Franklin Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Franklin Center (EIN: 161671503) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Franklin Center a good charity to donate to?
Franklin Center has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $8.8M. Assets: $18.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Franklin Center?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Franklin Center is 161671503. 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 Franklin Center spend its money?
Franklin Center allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Franklin Center's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Franklin Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 161671503 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 Franklin Center demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has shown significant growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, with revenue peaking at over $11 million in 2021 and 2022, there's a notable recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue. In the latest filing (Period 202407), expenses were $7,850,824 against revenue of $7,279,036, indicating a deficit. This contrasts with previous years like 202307 where revenue significantly outpaced expenses ($8,150,089 vs. $6,367,563). The organization's assets have grown substantially, reaching $18,919,532 in the latest period, providing a solid financial base despite recent operational deficits. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not reported in this category.