Is Hampden Historical Society Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Hampden Historical Society Inc (EIN: 16047415)

Verdict: Hampden Historical Society Inc appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$108KRevenue

$427KAssets

1Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Occasional deficit spending, such as in 202305 where expenses ($104,915) exceeded revenue ($80,765).

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating strong volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Stable asset base, generally maintained above $400,000, demonstrating financial resilience.
Minimal liabilities reported in most periods, indicating a healthy balance sheet.

Spending Breakdown

How Hampden Historical Society Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Hampden Historical Society Inc

Is Hampden Historical Society Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hampden Historical Society Inc (EIN: 16047415) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Hampden Historical Society Inc a good charity to donate to?

Hampden Historical Society Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $108K. Assets: $427K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Hampden Historical Society Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hampden Historical Society Inc is 16047415. 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 Hampden Historical Society Inc spend its money?

Hampden Historical Society Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Hampden Historical Society Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Hampden Historical Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 16047415 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 Hampden Historical Society Inc. demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its stable asset base, which has hovered around $400,000-$500,000 in recent years, reaching $427,237 in the latest period. While the organization experienced a significant revenue spike in 2019 ($224,636) and a corresponding expense increase ($359,423), its more recent financial activity shows a return to a more modest scale, with revenues of $82,390 and expenses of $85,045 in the 202405 period. The organization has consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence and efficient use of funds.

However, the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, notably in 202305 where expenses ($104,915) exceeded revenue ($80,765), and significantly in 201905 where expenses ($359,423) far outstripped revenue ($224,636). Despite these fluctuations, the asset base has remained relatively stable, suggesting effective management of reserves or other non-operating income. The absence of reported liabilities in most recent years, except for a minor amount in 202405 ($356) and 201905 ($96), indicates a healthy balance sheet.

Given the available data, the Hampden Historical Society Inc. appears to be a financially stable, albeit small, organization with a strong volunteer ethos. Its financial health is generally sound, with a good track record of maintaining assets and minimal liabilities. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging, but the absence of executive compensation is a strong indicator of efficient use of donor funds for mission-related activities.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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