Is Grindstone Association Legit?

Strengths

Strong financial growth, with assets increasing from $3.2M in 2014 to $5.8M in 2023.
Consistent revenue generation, with a significant surplus in most years, notably $1,416,740 revenue against $499,086 expenses in 2023.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds and potentially volunteer leadership.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management and solvency.
Consistent filing history (13 filings) demonstrates good transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Grindstone Association 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 Grindstone Association

Is Grindstone Association a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Grindstone Association (EIN: 10202445) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Grindstone Association a good charity to donate to?

Grindstone Association has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $919K. Assets: $6.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Grindstone Association?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Grindstone Association is 10202445. 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 Grindstone Association spend its money?

Grindstone Association allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Grindstone Association's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Grindstone Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 10202445 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 Grindstone Association demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with consistent revenue generation and substantial asset growth over the past decade. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $1,416,740 against expenses of $499,086, indicating a significant surplus that contributed to its growing assets, which reached $5,832,293. This trend of revenue exceeding expenses is largely consistent across recent years, suggesting sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low, with the exception of a notable increase to $5,516 in 2023, which warrants further investigation but is still a small fraction of total assets.

Spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in the provided data, it's challenging to precisely assess the allocation. However, the overall financial health and growth suggest that resources are being managed effectively. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead and higher program efficiency.

Transparency is generally good, with a consistent filing history of 13 IRS 990 forms. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive indicator for transparency regarding executive pay. However, the 'Unknown' NTEE code could be a minor point of concern, as a clear classification helps stakeholders understand the organization's specific mission and activities. Further detail on program activities and expense allocation would enhance overall transparency.

Verdict: Grindstone Association appears trustworthy

Red Flags