Is Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc (EIN: 204840080)

Verdict: Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score
$469KRevenue
$259KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths

No red flags identified.

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation 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 Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc

Is Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc (EIN: 204840080) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $469K. Assets: $259K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc is 204840080. 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 Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc spend its money?

Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204840080 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 Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc. demonstrates consistent financial health, with revenues generally exceeding expenses in recent years. For example, in fiscal year 2023, the organization reported revenues of $399,896 against expenses of $346,810, indicating a healthy surplus. The foundation's assets have also shown steady growth, increasing from $135,693 in 2021 to $248,658 in 2023, while maintaining zero liabilities in the last three reported periods, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and responsible management. This trend suggests effective fundraising and prudent financial stewardship. The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given its consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which can free up more funds for programmatic activities. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding overhead. The foundation's NTEE code (B122 - Education Foundations) aligns well with its mission, suggesting a focused approach to supporting public education. In terms of transparency, the foundation has a robust filing history with 13 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating consistent compliance with regulatory requirements. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities in recent years further enhances its transparency profile, indicating a clear financial position without outstanding debts. The growth in assets and revenue, coupled with no reported officer compensation, suggests a well-managed and accountable organization dedicated to its educational mission.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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

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