Is Friends Of Ute Lake State Park Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Friends Of Ute Lake State Park (EIN: 208502782)

Spending Breakdown

How Friends Of Ute Lake State Park allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

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 Ute Lake State Park

Is Friends Of Ute Lake State Park a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of Ute Lake State Park (EIN: 208502782) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Friends Of Ute Lake State Park a good charity to donate to?

Friends Of Ute Lake State Park has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Friends Of Ute Lake State Park?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of Ute Lake State Park is 208502782. 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 Ute Lake State Park spend its money?

Friends Of Ute Lake State Park allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Friends Of Ute Lake State Park's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Friends Of Ute Lake State Park's tax-exempt status using EIN 208502782 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 Ute Lake State Park appears to be a very small, volunteer-run organization supporting Ute Lake State Park. Their financial health is stable but modest, with assets consistently in the range of $5,000 to $20,000 over the past decade. In the latest filing (2023), they reported $3,904 in revenue and $2,686 in expenses, resulting in a net positive of $1,218, which increased their assets to $8,465. This trend of positive net income in recent years (2022, 2023) suggests careful management after some periods of deficit spending (e.g., 2021, 2020, 2017).

The organization demonstrates strong spending efficiency, particularly given its small scale and zero reported officer compensation, indicating that all funds are directed towards its mission. Their consistent filing of IRS 990-EZ forms (for organizations with gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000) indicates a basic level of transparency appropriate for their size. The absence of liabilities across all reported periods is a positive indicator of financial prudence.

Overall, while the organization operates on a very limited budget, its financial management appears responsible, with a clear focus on its program without significant overhead or executive compensation. Their financial activities directly reflect their role as a local support group for a state park.

Is Friends Of Ute Lake State Park Legit?

Verdict: Friends Of Ute Lake State Park appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths