Quick charity verification for Hunger Action Los Angeles (EIN: 205142259)
Verdict: Hunger Action Los Angeles appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$3.0MRevenue
$395KAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low liabilities relative to assets in some years (e.g., $0 liabilities in 2015-2017) could indicate simplified reporting or specific operational models.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary prevents a granular analysis of spending efficiency, though 0% officer compensation is a strong positive.
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth, nearly quadrupling from 2019 to 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation across all 10 years of available filings, indicating high dedication to mission.
Healthy asset base relative to liabilities, demonstrating financial stability.
Expenses closely track revenue, suggesting responsible financial management without excessive surpluses or deficits.
Long filing history (13 filings) indicates consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Hunger Action Los Angeles 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 Hunger Action Los Angeles
Is Hunger Action Los Angeles a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hunger Action Los Angeles (EIN: 205142259) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Hunger Action Los Angeles a good charity to donate to?
Hunger Action Los Angeles has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $3.0M. Assets: $395K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hunger Action Los Angeles?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hunger Action Los Angeles is 205142259. 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 Hunger Action Los Angeles spend its money?
Hunger Action Los Angeles allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hunger Action Los Angeles's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hunger Action Los Angeles's tax-exempt status using EIN 205142259 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
Hunger Action Los Angeles demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade. The organization has seen its revenue increase from $491,885 in 2019 to $1,910,100 in 2023, indicating robust fundraising and donor support. While expenses have generally tracked revenue, the organization has maintained a healthy asset base, reaching $260,233 in 2023. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of financial transparency and a focus on directing resources towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries.
The organization's spending efficiency appears commendable, with expenses closely aligning with revenue, indicating responsible financial management without excessive accumulation of unrestricted funds or significant deficits. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant positive indicator of efficiency and a donor-centric approach. The relatively low liabilities compared to assets further underscore a stable financial position. Overall, Hunger Action Los Angeles appears to be a well-managed and transparent organization effectively utilizing its resources to address hunger in Los Angeles.
However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across these categories is limited. The consistent growth in revenue and assets, coupled with zero reported officer compensation, strongly suggests that the majority of funds are likely directed towards their mission. Further detailed expense breakdowns would enhance the transparency report.