Quick charity verification for Houghton University (EIN: 160743045)
Verdict: Houghton University appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$39.2MRevenue
$132.2MAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Unusual 'Officer Comp=0%' reporting for an organization of this size, requiring further investigation into executive compensation practices.
Strengths
Consistent financial stability with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $126,684,978 assets vs. $31,034,434 liabilities in 202305).
Revenues generally align with expenses, indicating sound operational budgeting and sustainability.
Positive net asset growth over the long term, from $105,728,657 in 201405 to $126,684,978 in 202305.
Spending Breakdown
How Houghton University allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Houghton University
Is Houghton University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Houghton University (EIN: 160743045) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Houghton University a good charity to donate to?
Houghton University has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $39.2M. Assets: $132.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Houghton University?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Houghton University is 160743045. 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 Houghton University spend its money?
Houghton University allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Houghton University's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Houghton University's tax-exempt status using EIN 160743045 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
Houghton University demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities over the past decade. For instance, in the 202305 period, assets were $126,684,978 against liabilities of $31,034,434, indicating a healthy balance sheet. The organization has consistently reported revenues closely aligned with expenses, suggesting a focus on operational sustainability rather than significant surplus accumulation. While the provided data does not detail the breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, the consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings is a notable aspect of its transparency regarding executive compensation, indicating that no compensation was reported for officers on the 990 form. This could imply that compensation is reported differently or that officers are uncompensated, which would be a strong positive for transparency.