Quick charity verification for Head First Development (EIN: 202479901)
Verdict: Head First Development shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$244KRevenue
$148KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses significantly exceeded revenue in the latest two fiscal periods (2023 and 2022), indicating operational deficits.
Substantial decline in assets from $384,086 in 2022 to $223,501 in 2023, suggesting reliance on reserves.
Inconsistent revenue streams, with significant fluctuations year-over-year (e.g., $618,855 in 2021 vs. $179,547 in 2023).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating low executive overhead.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
Maintained positive net assets despite periods of operational deficits.
Spending Breakdown
How Head First Development allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Head First Development
Is Head First Development a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Head First Development (EIN: 202479901) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Head First Development a good charity to donate to?
Head First Development has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $244K. Assets: $148K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Head First Development?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Head First Development is 202479901. 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 Head First Development spend its money?
Head First Development allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Head First Development's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Head First Development's tax-exempt status using EIN 202479901 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
Head First Development exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past decade, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses. While the organization has generally maintained positive net assets, the latest filing (202312) shows expenses ($340,853) significantly exceeding revenue ($179,547), leading to a substantial decrease in assets from $384,086 in 2022 to $223,501 in 2023. This trend of expenses outpacing revenue is also visible in 2022 and 2016, suggesting potential operational challenges or reliance on prior year reserves.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in the provided data. However, the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a potential strength in minimizing executive overhead, or that compensation is structured differently. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to regulatory transparency, but a deeper dive into the functional expense statement would be necessary for a complete picture of spending efficiency.
Overall, Head First Development appears to be navigating a period of financial instability, as evidenced by the recent decline in assets and recurring deficits. While the lack of officer compensation is positive, the organization should focus on stabilizing its revenue streams and managing expenses to ensure long-term sustainability. Further transparency regarding the allocation of expenses would greatly enhance the assessment of its financial health and program impact.