Quick charity verification for Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc (EIN: 133496835)
Verdict: Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$5.5MRevenue
$1.3MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and revenue, potentially obscuring executive compensation details.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data limits a full assessment of spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of $0 in liabilities across all filings, indicating strong financial health and no debt burden.
Stable asset base, consistently over $1.2 million, providing a solid financial foundation.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), demonstrating commitment to regulatory compliance.
Lean operational model, with expenses closely matching revenue, suggesting efficient use of funds without significant accumulation of reserves.
Spending Breakdown
How Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc
Is Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc (EIN: 133496835) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc a good charity to donate to?
Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $5.5M. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc is 133496835. 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 Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc spend its money?
Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 133496835 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 Hong Kong Trade Development Council Inc. demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues and expenses generally in close alignment over the past decade. For the latest period (202403), the organization reported revenues of $5,124,284 against expenses of $5,193,564, indicating a slight operational deficit. This trend of expenses closely matching or slightly exceeding revenue is common across several years, suggesting a lean operational model rather than significant surplus accumulation. The organization consistently reports $0 in liabilities, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and low debt burden. Assets have remained relatively stable, hovering around $1.2 million to $1.5 million, providing a solid but not excessive financial cushion.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be high, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, which is unusual for an organization of this size. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise efficiency ratio cannot be calculated, but the absence of reported officer compensation is a notable characteristic. The consistent filing history and stable asset base contribute to a perception of reliability.
Transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings. However, the lack of reported officer compensation and the absence of detailed expense breakdowns (e.g., program vs. administrative vs. fundraising) within the provided data limit a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated. While the $0 liabilities are positive, more granular financial data would enhance the overall transparency assessment.