Quick charity verification for Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc (EIN: 201952371)
Verdict: Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$246KRevenue
$436KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant deficit in the most recent fiscal year (202312) where expenses ($366,553) substantially exceeded revenue ($210,865).
Strengths
Consistent zero officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating high efficiency and volunteer-driven leadership.
Strong asset base ($351,386 in 202312) with zero liabilities, demonstrating financial stability and good fiscal management.
Mission-aligned NTEE code (K31 - Food Banks & Pantries) with the organization's name and purpose.
History of strong program focus, implied by the lack of executive compensation and the nature of a food shelf.
Spending Breakdown
How Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc
Is Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc (EIN: 201952371) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc a good charity to donate to?
Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $246K. Assets: $436K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc is 201952371. 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 Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc spend its money?
Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201952371 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
Hanover Area Food Shelf Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities, indicating good fiscal management. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported expenses of $366,553 against revenues of $210,865, resulting in a deficit for the year. This contrasts with previous years like 202212 where revenues ($234,921) closely matched expenses ($232,424), and 202112 where revenues ($252,317) significantly exceeded expenses ($140,240). The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of volunteer-driven leadership and efficient use of donor funds for its mission. Their NTEE code K31 (Food Banks & Pantries) aligns well with their name and implied mission.
The significant increase in expenses in 202312 compared to prior years, leading to a deficit, warrants further investigation to understand if this was due to increased program delivery, one-time capital expenditures, or other factors. Despite this, the organization maintains a healthy asset base of $351,386 in 202312 with no liabilities, suggesting resilience. The consistent lack of officer compensation across all reported periods highlights a commitment to directing resources towards program services rather than administrative overhead, contributing positively to their spending efficiency and transparency.