Quick charity verification for Friends Of Billings Public Library (EIN: 201943716)
Verdict: Friends Of Billings Public Library appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$44KRevenue
$64KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation, indicating an all-volunteer executive team.
Consistent growth in assets over recent years (e.g., $58,121 in 2022 to $67,651 in 2023).
Revenues consistently exceeding expenses in most recent periods (e.g., $45,049 revenue vs. $32,092 expenses in 2023).
Low to zero liabilities reported in most filings, indicating strong financial health.
Excellent transparency with a consistent history of IRS 990 filings.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of Billings Public Library allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Friends Of Billings Public Library
Is Friends Of Billings Public Library a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of Billings Public Library (EIN: 201943716) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of Billings Public Library a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of Billings Public Library has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $44K. Assets: $64K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of Billings Public Library?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of Billings Public Library is 201943716. 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 Friends Of Billings Public Library spend its money?
Friends Of Billings Public Library allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Friends Of Billings Public Library's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of Billings Public Library's tax-exempt status using EIN 201943716 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
Friends Of Billings Public Library demonstrates consistent financial health, with revenues generally exceeding expenses in recent years, leading to a steady growth in assets. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $45,049 against expenses of $32,092, contributing to an asset base of $67,651. The organization maintains a strong balance sheet with minimal to no liabilities reported in most periods, indicating sound financial management and low financial risk. Their financial operations appear straightforward, focusing on supporting the public library.
The organization's spending efficiency is commendable, particularly given its all-volunteer structure, which eliminates officer compensation expenses. This allows a higher proportion of funds to be directed towards its programmatic mission. While specific program spending ratios are not detailed in the provided data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean operational model. The consistent growth in assets, from $57,956 in 2016 to $67,651 in 2023, further supports the notion of effective resource management.
Transparency is high, as evidenced by their consistent IRS 990 filings and the clear reporting of zero officer compensation across all periods. This indicates that the organization is run by volunteers, which is a strong positive for donor confidence. The financial data provided, including revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities, offers a clear picture of the organization's financial standing over time, allowing for easy assessment by the public and potential donors.