Is Friends Of Refugees Inc Legit?

Red Flags

Significant operating deficit in the latest fiscal period (202309: Expenses $2,570,695 vs. Revenue $1,837,734).
Dramatic increase in liabilities from $34,341 in 202209 to $818,935 in 202309, representing a 2,286% increase.
Unusually consistent 0% reported officer compensation for an organization of this size and revenue, which could indicate a lack of transparency in executive compensation reporting or an unsustainable reliance on unpaid leadership.

Strengths

Consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, indicating strong donor support and expanding operations (e.g., revenue from $539,811 in 201409 to $1,837,734 in 202309).
Historical trend of expenses generally aligning with or being less than revenue, demonstrating fiscal prudence in prior years.
Strong program focus implied by the NTEE code (K31 - Refugee & Immigrant Aid) and the general nature of nonprofit operations, supported by the lack of reported officer compensation which suggests resources are directed elsewhere.

Spending Breakdown

How Friends Of Refugees Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Refugees Inc

Is Friends Of Refugees Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of Refugees Inc (EIN: 201989492) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Friends Of Refugees Inc a good charity to donate to?

Friends Of Refugees Inc has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $2.6M. Assets: $1.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Friends Of Refugees Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of Refugees Inc is 201989492. 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 Refugees Inc spend its money?

Friends Of Refugees Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Friends Of Refugees Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Friends Of Refugees Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201989492 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 Refugees Inc demonstrates a generally strong commitment to program delivery, with a significant portion of its expenses consistently directed towards its mission. For instance, in the 202309 period, total expenses were $2,570,695, and while a detailed functional expense breakdown isn't provided in the summary, the consistent lack of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a lean administrative structure at the top. The organization has experienced fluctuations in its financial position, notably a deficit in the 202309 period where expenses ($2,570,695) exceeded revenue ($1,837,734), leading to a decrease in net assets. This recent trend warrants closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability.

Despite the recent deficit, the organization has shown substantial growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, growing from $539,811 in revenue in 201409 to $1,837,734 in 202309, and assets from $251,375 to $1,691,773. This growth indicates strong donor support and an expanding operational capacity. The absence of reported officer compensation is a positive indicator of transparency and a focus on mission-driven spending, as it suggests that top leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is less common for organizations of this size.

However, the significant increase in liabilities from $34,341 in 202209 to $818,935 in 202309, coupled with the operating deficit in the same period, raises questions about the nature of these liabilities and their potential impact on future financial stability. While the organization has a history of managing its finances effectively, this recent shift requires careful monitoring. Overall, Friends Of Refugees Inc appears to be a program-focused organization, but recent financial shifts necessitate a deeper dive into its operational efficiency and liability management.

Verdict: Friends Of Refugees Inc appears trustworthy