Quick charity verification for Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department (EIN: 20609749)
Verdict: Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$143KRevenue
$386KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of $0 liabilities across all filings, indicating excellent financial management.
No officer compensation reported, suggesting a volunteer-led organization and efficient use of funds.
Steady growth in assets from $177,728 in 2014 to $376,547 in 2023, demonstrating increasing capacity.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, showing strong transparency.
Revenue generally exceeds expenses, contributing to healthy reserves and asset growth (e.g., 2023 revenue $170,743 vs. expenses $152,207).
Spending Breakdown
How Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department
Is Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department (EIN: 20609749) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department a good charity to donate to?
Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $143K. Assets: $386K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department is 20609749. 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 Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department spend its money?
Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department's tax-exempt status using EIN 20609749 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 Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission of providing fire protection services, as evidenced by its financial filings. Over the past decade, the organization has shown steady growth in both revenue and assets, indicating increasing community support and capacity. For instance, assets grew from $177,728 in 2014 to $376,547 in 2023. The department's financial health appears stable, with liabilities consistently reported at $0 across all available filings, suggesting a strong balance sheet and responsible financial management. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation indicates that resources are likely directed towards operational expenses and equipment necessary for their services.
The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally tracking revenue. In 2023, expenses were $152,207 against revenues of $170,743, resulting in a surplus that contributes to asset growth. The consistent reporting of $0 liabilities across all periods is a significant positive indicator of fiscal prudence. The lack of officer compensation further suggests that the organization is run by volunteers, which inherently maximizes the proportion of funds available for direct mission-related activities.
Transparency is high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, providing a clear historical financial record. The absence of officer compensation is a key transparency point, showing that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses would offer deeper insight, the overall financial picture points to a well-managed and community-focused volunteer organization.