Is Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc (EIN: 161104636)
Verdict: Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$5.7MRevenue
$5.4MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (2023, 2021, 2020) where expenses exceeded revenue.
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility, making financial planning and sustainability potentially challenging.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay.
Substantial growth in assets over the long term, from $73,757 in 2017 to $1,879,087 in 2023.
Positive operating margins in some years, such as 2022 ($2,142,578 revenue vs. $1,910,687 expenses) and 2019 ($3,341,586 revenue vs. $761,361 expenses).
Spending Breakdown
How Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation 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
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 Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc
Is Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc (EIN: 161104636) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $5.7M. Assets: $5.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc is 161104636. 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 Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc spend its money?
Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161104636 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 Greater Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc. exhibits fluctuating financial health over the past several years. While the latest reported revenue is $5,657,134, the most recent filing (202312) shows a significant deficit, with expenses of $2,525,938 exceeding revenue of $1,467,417. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is also visible in 2021 and 2020, suggesting potential reliance on prior year reserves or other funding sources. However, the organization did report a surplus in 2022 and a substantial surplus in 2019, indicating variability in its financial performance.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator for transparency and efficient use of funds, as it suggests that the organization's leadership is not directly compensated through the foundation's funds. The asset base has also seen significant growth from $73,757 in 2017 to $1,879,087 in 2023, despite recent deficits.
Overall, the foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency regarding executive compensation. However, the inconsistent financial performance, particularly the recent operating deficits, warrants closer examination of its revenue generation and expense management strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. The significant swings in revenue and expenses across years suggest that the foundation may be involved in project-based funding or has highly variable income streams.