Quick charity verification for Friends Of Mend Incorporated (EIN: 200229054)
Verdict: Friends Of Mend Incorporated appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$452KRevenue
$1.3MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Significant unexplained expense spike in 2022 ($369,333) compared to typical annual expenses (under $20,000).
Strengths
Consistent zero officer compensation, indicating high dedication to mission.
Strong and growing asset base, providing financial stability (over $1.1 million in 2023).
Historically low and stable operational expenses, suggesting efficient management.
Zero liabilities for most of its history, indicating sound financial health and low debt.
Long and consistent filing history (13 filings), demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of Mend Incorporated 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 Friends Of Mend Incorporated
Is Friends Of Mend Incorporated a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of Mend Incorporated (EIN: 200229054) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of Mend Incorporated a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of Mend Incorporated has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $452K. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of Mend Incorporated?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of Mend Incorporated is 200229054. 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 Mend Incorporated spend its money?
Friends Of Mend Incorporated allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Friends Of Mend Incorporated's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of Mend Incorporated's tax-exempt status using EIN 200229054 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 Mend Incorporated demonstrates consistent financial stability with a strong asset base, reaching $1,182,581 in 2023. The organization has maintained zero liabilities for most of its reported history, indicating sound financial management and low debt risk. While revenue has fluctuated, with a notable dip to $35,633 in 2023 from a high of $120,992 in 2015, expenses have generally remained low and stable, typically under $20,000 annually, except for a significant increase to $369,333 in 2022. This suggests a lean operational model. The absence of reported officer compensation further enhances its transparency and commitment to directing funds towards its mission.
The organization's spending efficiency appears high given the low expense figures relative to its asset base. The significant expense spike in 2022, however, warrants further investigation to understand its nature and impact on program delivery. Despite this anomaly, the overall trend points to a cautious approach to spending. The consistent growth in assets over the long term, from $911,782 in 2014 to over $1.1 million in 2023, suggests effective asset management and accumulation, which could provide a buffer for future operations or program expansion.
Transparency is strong, particularly with the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for a nonprofit. The detailed filing history provides a clear picture of its financial evolution. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories in the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency towards its mission is challenging. The NTEE code T30 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activities might involve grantmaking or supporting other nonprofits, which could explain the relatively low direct program expenses if it operates as a pass-through entity.