Is Hope Of Buffalo Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Hope Of Buffalo Inc (EIN: 161306559)

Verdict: Hope Of Buffalo Inc appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$5.0MRevenue

$4.6MAssets

0Red Flags

4Strengths

No red flags identified.

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $614,801 in 2018 to $2,581,732 in 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and mission focus.
Healthy asset growth and strong asset-to-liability ratio (e.g., $2,787,568 assets vs. $580,926 liabilities in 2023).
Positive operating margins in most recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue $2,581,732 vs. expenses $2,401,708).

Spending Breakdown

How Hope Of Buffalo 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

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 Hope Of Buffalo Inc

Is Hope Of Buffalo Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hope Of Buffalo Inc (EIN: 161306559) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Hope Of Buffalo Inc a good charity to donate to?

Hope Of Buffalo Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $5.0M. Assets: $4.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Hope Of Buffalo Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hope Of Buffalo Inc is 161306559. 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 Hope Of Buffalo Inc spend its money?

Hope Of Buffalo Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Hope Of Buffalo Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Hope Of Buffalo Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161306559 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

Hope Of Buffalo Inc has demonstrated consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past several years, indicating a stable financial trajectory. For instance, revenue grew from $614,801 in 2018 to $2,581,732 in 2023, and assets increased from $2,061,499 to $2,787,568 in the same period. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be highly efficient.

While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency. The organization's expenses have generally tracked with its revenue growth, maintaining a healthy operating margin in most recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue of $2,581,732 against expenses of $2,401,708). This suggests responsible financial management and a focus on utilizing funds for operations.

Overall, Hope Of Buffalo Inc appears to be in good financial health with a clear commitment to transparency regarding executive compensation. The growth in assets and revenue, coupled with low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $580,926 liabilities against $2,787,568 assets in 2023), further supports a positive assessment of its financial stability and capacity to sustain its operations.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.