Is Gowrie Public Library Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Gowrie Public Library Foundation (EIN: 200029073)

Verdict: Gowrie Public Library Foundation shows mixed signals

60/100Mission Score
$64Revenue
$1Assets
2Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Gowrie Public Library Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

100%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
0%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Gowrie Public Library Foundation

Is Gowrie Public Library Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Gowrie Public Library Foundation (EIN: 200029073) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Gowrie Public Library Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Gowrie Public Library Foundation has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $64. Assets: $1. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Gowrie Public Library Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Gowrie Public Library Foundation is 200029073. 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 Gowrie Public Library Foundation spend its money?

Gowrie Public Library Foundation allocates 100% to programs, 0% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Gowrie Public Library Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Gowrie Public Library Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200029073 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

The Gowrie Public Library Foundation appears to be a very small organization with minimal financial activity. In its latest filing (202212), it reported revenue of $64 and zero expenses, maintaining assets of $1. This pattern of extremely low revenue and expenses is consistent across most of its recent filings, with the exception of 201312 where it reported $734 in revenue and $200 in expenses. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-run structure and no debt. Given the consistently low financial figures, it's challenging to assess traditional financial health metrics like spending efficiency. The lack of reported expenses in most years suggests that either the foundation's activities are entirely volunteer-driven with no direct costs, or its financial role is extremely limited, perhaps acting primarily as a pass-through for very small donations or holding a nominal endowment. The significant drop in assets from a peak of $33,972 in 201612 to just $1 in 202212, while not explicitly explained by expenses, warrants further inquiry to understand the disposition of these funds. Transparency is generally good in terms of filing its IRS 990s consistently. However, the extremely low and fluctuating asset base, coupled with minimal financial activity, makes it difficult to ascertain the true impact or operational scope of the foundation from the provided data alone. The absence of expenses in most years means there's no spending to analyze for efficiency, but it also raises questions about how the foundation supports the library if not through direct financial outlays.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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