Quick charity verification for Friends Of The Ouachita Trail (EIN: 202278590)
Verdict: Friends Of The Ouachita Trail appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$34KRevenue
$162KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported in both 2022 and 2023 filings, indicating high efficiency and direct program focus.
Consistent asset growth from $144,816 in 2022 to $155,348 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability.
No reported liabilities in either 2022 or 2023, indicating a debt-free operation.
Positive net income in 2023 ($28,670 revenue vs. $24,114 expenses), contributing to asset growth.
Strong program focus implied by the lack of executive compensation and lean operational structure.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of The Ouachita Trail 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 The Ouachita Trail
Is Friends Of The Ouachita Trail a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of The Ouachita Trail (EIN: 202278590) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of The Ouachita Trail a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of The Ouachita Trail has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $34K. Assets: $162K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of The Ouachita Trail?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of The Ouachita Trail is 202278590. 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 The Ouachita Trail spend its money?
Friends Of The Ouachita Trail allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Friends Of The Ouachita Trail's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of The Ouachita Trail's tax-exempt status using EIN 202278590 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 The Ouachita Trail demonstrates sound financial health with consistent asset growth and no reported liabilities across its recent filings. In 2023, the organization reported $28,670 in revenue against $24,114 in expenses, indicating a surplus. Its assets have steadily increased from $144,816 in 2022 to $155,348 in 2023, reflecting good financial management and accumulation of resources. The organization's commitment to transparency is high, as evidenced by its publicly available 990 filings and the absence of officer compensation, which often raises questions about resource allocation.
The organization appears to be highly efficient in its spending, with a significant portion of its expenses likely directed towards its program services, given the nature of its mission and the lack of reported administrative or fundraising overhead. The absence of officer compensation further reinforces that resources are not being diverted to executive salaries. While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided summary, the overall financial picture suggests a lean operation focused on its mission. The organization's financial stability, marked by growing assets and no debt, positions it well for continued impact.
Friends Of The Ouachita Trail's financial practices indicate a strong focus on its mission. The consistent growth in assets and the absence of liabilities suggest prudent financial stewardship. The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly with zero officer compensation reported, which assures donors that contributions are directly supporting the organization's work. This financial profile paints a picture of a well-managed and mission-driven nonprofit.