Is Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation (EIN: 200052373)

Verdict: Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score
$6.0MRevenue
$17.1MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation

Is Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation (EIN: 200052373) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation a good charity to donate to?

Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.0M. Assets: $17.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation is 200052373. 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 Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation spend its money?

Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200052373 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

Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue growth over the past several years, increasing from $3,338,321 in 2017 to $5,308,041 in 2023. The organization has also significantly grown its assets, from $7,051,371 in 2017 to $17,019,037 in 2023, indicating strong financial management and potentially successful fundraising or investment strategies. Expenses have remained well below revenue in most recent periods, contributing to asset accumulation. The organization's spending efficiency appears sound, with expenses consistently lower than revenue, allowing for growth. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is reported under different categories, warranting further investigation for complete transparency. The NTEE code B50 indicates a focus on theological seminaries, aligning with its name. While the financial health appears robust, the lack of reported officer compensation in the 990s could be a point for deeper inquiry regarding transparency, as it's unusual for an organization of this size and revenue to have no compensated officers. However, the overall trend of increasing assets and revenue, coupled with expenses managed below income, points to a financially healthy and growing institution.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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

Related Pages