Quick charity verification for Friends Of Pioneer Valley (EIN: 202281886)
Verdict: Friends Of Pioneer Valley appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$324KRevenue
$5.6MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (e.g., 202306 expenses $324,680 vs. revenue $308,343)
Declining asset base over recent years (e.g., $6,721,210 in 201606 to $5,703,461 in 202306)
Strengths
0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive pay.
Substantial asset base ($5,577,413) provides significant financial stability.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) demonstrates transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of Pioneer Valley 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 Pioneer Valley
Is Friends Of Pioneer Valley a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of Pioneer Valley (EIN: 202281886) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of Pioneer Valley a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of Pioneer Valley has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $324K. Assets: $5.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of Pioneer Valley?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of Pioneer Valley is 202281886. 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 Pioneer Valley spend its money?
Friends Of Pioneer Valley allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Friends Of Pioneer Valley's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of Pioneer Valley's tax-exempt status using EIN 202281886 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 Pioneer Valley demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the low to mid-$300,000s over the past several years. The organization has maintained substantial assets, currently at $5,577,413, significantly outweighing its annual operating budget. However, a notable trend is that expenses have frequently exceeded revenue in recent periods, such as in 202306 where expenses were $324,680 against revenues of $308,343, and in 202206 with $346,620 in expenses versus $322,845 in revenue. This consistent deficit spending, while not immediately critical given the large asset base, suggests reliance on reserves or other non-operating income sources.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available. A key positive indicator for efficiency and transparency is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure regarding executive pay. This practice can free up more funds for programmatic activities, though the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not detailed in the provided summary data. The significant asset base, while providing stability, also raises questions about how these assets are utilized to further the mission, especially in light of the operating deficits.