Is Great Falls Council Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Great Falls Council Inc (EIN: 160743929)

Verdict: Great Falls Council Inc appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$6.6MRevenue

$19.1MAssets

4Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Significant revenue volatility between 2022 and 2023, with a sharp decline.
Deficit spending in the most recent period (2023), where expenses ($1,830,248) exceeded revenue ($1,594,096).
Substantial increase in liabilities over time, from $387,192 in 2014 to $2,820,182 in 2023, without clear explanation.
Unusual consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size and asset base.

Strengths

Consistent growth in assets over the long term, from $5,808,724 in 2014 to $10,222,992 in 2023.
Strong financial surplus in 2022, with revenue significantly exceeding expenses ($3,800,093 vs. $1,793,119).
No reported officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to minimizing executive overhead.

Spending Breakdown

How Great Falls Council Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Great Falls Council Inc

Is Great Falls Council Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Great Falls Council Inc (EIN: 160743929) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Great Falls Council Inc a good charity to donate to?

Great Falls Council Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $6.6M. Assets: $19.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Great Falls Council Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Great Falls Council Inc is 160743929. 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 Falls Council Inc spend its money?

Great Falls Council Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Great Falls Council Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Great Falls Council Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160743929 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 Falls Council Inc. demonstrates fluctuating financial health over the past several years. While the organization reported a significant revenue increase to $3,800,093 in 2022, its most recent filing for 2023 shows a decrease to $1,594,096, alongside expenses exceeding revenue by $236,152. This recent deficit spending, following a surplus in 2022, indicates a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. The organization's assets have grown substantially from $5,808,724 in 2014 to $10,222,992 in 2023, suggesting a build-up of reserves, but liabilities have also increased significantly from $387,192 to $2,820,182 over the same period, which warrants further investigation into their nature.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The organization's ability to manage its expenses relative to its fluctuating revenue will be key to its operational efficiency.

Transparency appears to be strong concerning executive compensation, with no reported officer compensation. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of how funds are allocated across programs, administration, and fundraising. Further transparency on these specific spending categories would enhance public trust and allow for a more thorough evaluation of its financial practices.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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