Quick charity verification for Friends Of The Strand Inc (EIN: 200210688)
Verdict: Friends Of The Strand Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.9MRevenue
$6.5MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant increase in liabilities from $1,491,891 in 2021 to $2,981,414 in 2023, which needs further clarification.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating strong dedication to mission spending.
Steady growth in assets, from $4,007,225 in 2019 to $6,421,572 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, indicating good transparency practices.
Revenues generally cover expenses, as seen in 2023 ($2,352,126 revenue vs. $2,249,455 expenses), suggesting sound financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of The Strand 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
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 Strand Inc
Is Friends Of The Strand Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of The Strand Inc (EIN: 200210688) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of The Strand Inc a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of The Strand Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.9M. Assets: $6.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of The Strand Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of The Strand Inc is 200210688. 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 Strand Inc spend its money?
Friends Of The Strand 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 The Strand Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of The Strand Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200210688 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 Strand Inc demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in line over the past several years. For the 2023 period, the organization reported revenues of $2,352,126 against expenses of $2,249,455, indicating a slight surplus. Their asset base has shown steady growth, reaching $6,421,572 in 2023, up from $4,151,362 in 2020, which suggests effective asset management. However, liabilities have also increased significantly, from $1,491,891 in 2021 to $2,981,414 in 2023, which warrants closer examination to understand the nature of these obligations.
The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable given the provided data, with expenses closely tracking revenues. A key strength is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which indicates a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, potentially maximizing funds for programmatic activities. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging, but the absence of executive compensation is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The consistent filing history also points to good transparency practices.