Is Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc (EIN: 134318494)
Verdict: Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc has notable concerns
30/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Latest reported revenue and assets are $0, indicating potential inactivity or closure.
Consistent deficit spending in multiple years (e.g., 2015: $23,131 revenue vs. $141,103 expenses; 2014: $88,753 revenue vs. $148,455 expenses; 2012: $382,318 revenue vs. $410,740 expenses).
Significant decline in assets from a peak of $228,422 in 2013 to $0 currently.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and potentially lower administrative overhead.
No reported liabilities across all filing periods, suggesting good debt management.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 South Berwick Library Inc
Is Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc (EIN: 134318494) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 30/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc has a Mission Score of 30/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc is 134318494. 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 South Berwick Library Inc spend its money?
Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134318494 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 South Berwick Library Inc appears to be in a state of financial decline, as evidenced by its latest reported revenue and assets of $0. This is a significant drop from its peak revenue of $382,318 in 2012 and assets of $228,422 in 2013. The organization has consistently spent more than it brought in during several periods, notably in 2015 where expenses were $141,103 against revenue of $23,131, and in 2014 with expenses of $148,455 against revenue of $88,753. This trend of deficit spending, coupled with the current zero revenue and assets, raises serious concerns about its operational viability and future.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent negative net income in recent years suggests an inability to manage expenses within its revenue streams. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates that executive leadership is likely volunteer-based, which can be a positive for efficiency if other costs are well-managed. The transparency of the organization is generally good through its 990 filings, but the current financial state of $0 revenue and assets requires further investigation to understand the circumstances leading to this outcome.
Overall, the financial health of Friends Of The South Berwick Library Inc is extremely poor based on the latest available data. The significant decrease in financial activity and the current zero balances for revenue and assets indicate that the organization may no longer be actively operating or has undergone a significant restructuring. Without more recent information or context for the $0 figures, it's challenging to provide a definitive assessment of its current operational status, but the historical trend of spending exceeding revenue in multiple years contributed to its current precarious position.