Is Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc (EIN: 205360193)

Verdict: Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$534KRevenue

$2.0MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant deficit in 2023: Expenses ($689,311) substantially exceeded revenue ($440,844) in the most recent filing period.
Sudden increase in liabilities in 2023: Liabilities jumped to $2,229 in 2023, after being minimal or zero in most previous years.

Strengths

Consistent asset growth: Assets have steadily increased from $741,929 in 2014 to $1,966,392 currently.
0% Officer Compensation: No compensation reported for officers across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Stable revenue generation: The organization has consistently generated revenue in the range of $350,000 to $550,000 annually over the past decade.
Clear mission alignment: The NTEE code N32 (Parks and Recreation) aligns perfectly with the organization's name and presumed activities.

Spending Breakdown

How Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc

Is Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc (EIN: 205360193) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc a good charity to donate to?

Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $534K. Assets: $2.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc is 205360193. 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 Hamilton County Parks Inc spend its money?

Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205360193 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 Hamilton County Parks Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams, averaging around $400,000-$500,000 annually over the past decade. The organization's assets have shown steady growth, increasing from $741,929 in 2014 to $1,966,392 currently, indicating effective asset management. However, the 2023 fiscal year saw expenses ($689,311) significantly outpace revenue ($440,844), resulting in a net loss for that period. This contrasts sharply with previous years, such as 2022, where revenue ($558,589) comfortably exceeded expenses ($154,160). The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for program delivery rather than executive salaries. The lack of reported officer compensation also suggests a high degree of transparency regarding leadership costs.

While the overall trend in assets is positive, the substantial increase in liabilities to $2,229 in 2023, compared to minimal or zero liabilities in most prior years, warrants closer examination. This spike in liabilities, coupled with the significant deficit in 2023, suggests a potential shift in financial strategy or a one-time event that impacted the organization's financial health. Despite this, the organization's long-term asset growth and consistent revenue generation suggest a resilient operational model. The NTEE code N32 (Parks and Recreation) aligns with the organization's name, indicating a clear mission focus.

Overall, Friends Of Hamilton County Parks Inc appears to be a well-managed organization with a strong commitment to its mission, evidenced by its volunteer leadership and asset growth. The recent financial dip in 2023, particularly the expense-to-revenue ratio and increased liabilities, is a point of concern that would benefit from further clarification, but it does not overshadow a decade of generally sound financial management and growth. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency and efficiency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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