Quick charity verification for Great American Downtown Inc (EIN: 20408415)
Verdict: Great American Downtown Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$222KRevenue
$174KAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
Unusually consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization with significant revenue, which might obscure other forms of compensation or reliance on external support.
NTEE code is unknown, limiting understanding of specific mission area.
Strengths
Consistent positive net assets and asset growth over the past decade, from $45,555 in 2014 to $149,320 in 2023.
Generally manages expenses below revenue, as seen in 2023 ($214,104 revenue vs. $178,309 expenses).
Consistent filing of IRS 990s (13 filings), indicating good compliance and transparency.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a potentially volunteer-driven leadership or highly efficient use of funds.
Spending Breakdown
How Great American Downtown 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 Great American Downtown Inc
Is Great American Downtown Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Great American Downtown Inc (EIN: 20408415) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Great American Downtown Inc a good charity to donate to?
Great American Downtown Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $222K. Assets: $174K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Great American Downtown Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Great American Downtown Inc is 20408415. 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 Great American Downtown Inc spend its money?
Great American Downtown Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Great American Downtown Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Great American Downtown Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 20408415 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
Great American Downtown Inc. demonstrates generally sound financial health, with recent filings showing consistent revenue generation and positive net assets. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $214,104 against expenses of $178,309, resulting in a surplus that contributed to an increase in assets to $149,320. This trend of managing expenses below revenue is a positive indicator, especially compared to earlier years like 2021 where expenses slightly exceeded revenue. The organization's assets have shown steady growth over the past decade, from $45,555 in 2014 to $149,320 in 2023, indicating responsible financial management and accumulation of resources.
The spending efficiency appears reasonable, with a healthy margin between revenue and expenses in most recent years. For instance, in 2023, expenses were approximately 83% of revenue ($178,309 / $214,104), leaving a significant portion for reinvestment or reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which can contribute to higher program spending efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is limited.
Transparency is generally good, with 13 filings available, indicating consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements. The absence of reported officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, suggesting that leadership may be unpaid, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence. However, the lack of NTEE code information and detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of their specific programmatic focus and internal operational efficiency.