Quick charity verification for Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc (EIN: 133568672)
Verdict: Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.4MRevenue
$3.6MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $702,964 deficit in 2024, $1,042,515 deficit in 2023).
Significant and rapid increase in liabilities from $578,853 in 2022 to $3,556,757 in 2024.
Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization with multi-million dollar revenues and expenses.
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base, reaching $5,320,497 in 2024, indicating good financial reserves.
Consistent history of generating substantial revenue, demonstrating fundraising capacity.
Long operational history with 14 IRS 990 filings, suggesting stability and established programs.
Spending Breakdown
How Harlem Educational Activities Fund 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 Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc
Is Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc (EIN: 133568672) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc a good charity to donate to?
Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.4M. Assets: $3.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc is 133568672. 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 Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc spend its money?
Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 133568672 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
Harlem Educational Activities Fund Inc (HEAF) demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has consistently generated significant revenue, ranging from $2.4 million to nearly $5 million over the past decade, its recent financial performance shows a trend of expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in fiscal year 2024, expenses were $3,611,581 against revenues of $2,908,617, and in 2023, expenses were $4,112,553 against revenues of $3,070,038. This indicates a reliance on prior year surpluses or other funding sources to cover operational costs, which could be a concern if it continues.
Despite these deficits, HEAF has maintained a healthy asset base, growing from $1.2 million in 2015 to over $5.3 million in 2024, suggesting good financial management in building reserves. However, liabilities have also seen a significant increase in recent years, jumping from $578,853 in 2022 to $3,556,757 in 2024, which warrants closer examination. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission, though it's unusual for an organization of this size not to have any compensated officers.
Overall, HEAF appears to be a well-established organization with a strong history of fundraising. The recent trend of operating deficits and increasing liabilities should be monitored, but the substantial asset base provides a buffer. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive transparency signal, assuming all key personnel are compensated through other means or truly volunteer their time in leadership roles.