Is Hillsborough Historical Society Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Hillsborough Historical Society (EIN: 20363649)

Red Flags

Reported $0 revenue and assets in the latest filing (Period 201912), which is a significant and unexplained deviation from historical trends.
Expenses frequently exceeded revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014), indicating potential operational deficits.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary limits a full assessment of spending efficiency.

Spending Breakdown

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

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Hillsborough Historical Society

Is Hillsborough Historical Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hillsborough Historical Society (EIN: 20363649) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Hillsborough Historical Society a good charity to donate to?

Hillsborough Historical Society has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Hillsborough Historical Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hillsborough Historical Society is 20363649. 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 Hillsborough Historical Society spend its money?

Hillsborough Historical Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Hillsborough Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 20363649 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 Hillsborough Historical Society appears to be a small, community-focused organization with fluctuating financial activity. Over the past five years (2015-2019), its revenue has ranged from $20,337 to $60,238, and expenses from $18,825 to $75,837. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities in recent years, indicating a healthy balance sheet in that regard. However, the most recent filing shows $0 in both revenue and assets, which is a significant anomaly compared to previous years and warrants further investigation to understand if this represents a reporting error, a period of inactivity, or a change in filing status.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the organization relies heavily on volunteer efforts, which can be a sign of efficiency for small nonprofits. The organization's assets have generally been in the range of $76,168 to $129,454 in recent years, though the $0 reported in the latest period is concerning.

Transparency is generally good given the availability of multiple years of IRS 990 data. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of transparency regarding leadership costs. However, the lack of detailed expense categories (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated. The $0 revenue and assets in the latest filing period are a major point of concern for transparency and financial health, as it deviates sharply from historical trends and could indicate a significant change in the organization's operational status or reporting.

Is Hillsborough Historical Society Legit?

Verdict: Hillsborough Historical Society shows mixed signals