Is Helena Community Educational Association Legit?
Quick charity verification for Helena Community Educational Association (EIN: 202255984)
Verdict: Helena Community Educational Association appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$78KRevenue
$80KAssets
0Red Flags
3Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in resource allocation.
Steady growth in assets from $41,624 in 2014 to $90,323 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Helena Community Educational Association 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 Helena Community Educational Association
Is Helena Community Educational Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Helena Community Educational Association (EIN: 202255984) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Helena Community Educational Association a good charity to donate to?
Helena Community Educational Association has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $78K. Assets: $80K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Helena Community Educational Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Helena Community Educational Association is 202255984. 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 Helena Community Educational Association spend its money?
Helena Community Educational Association allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Helena Community Educational Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Helena Community Educational Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 202255984 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 Helena Community Educational Association demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in a similar range over the past decade. In the latest period (202312), the organization reported revenues of $63,117 against expenses of $68,448, indicating a slight deficit for the year. However, its assets have grown steadily from $41,624 in 2014 to $90,323 in 2023, suggesting a healthy accumulation of resources over time. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds and a volunteer-driven leadership model, enhancing its financial transparency and public trust.
Given its NTEE code X84 (Education, specifically related to schools), the organization's financial health appears stable for its size. While the 2023 deficit is noted, it's not a significant concern given the overall asset growth and the relatively small scale of operations. The consistent reporting of no officer compensation across all filings is a significant strength, indicating that donor funds are directly applied to the organization's mission rather than executive salaries. This practice contributes positively to its spending efficiency and transparency profile.