Quick charity verification for Institute For Citizens And Scholars (EIN: 210703075)
Verdict: Institute For Citizens And Scholars shows mixed signals
60/100Mission Score
$19.9MRevenue
$20.3MAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operating deficits, such as $3.6M in 202406 and $4.3M in 202306, indicating spending exceeding revenue in multiple periods.
Significant decline in assets from $47.9M in 201506 to $11.2M in 202406, suggesting a draw-down of reserves or other financial pressures.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which may obscure actual leadership costs or compensation structures.
Fluctuating revenue streams, with a high of $36.6M in 201506 and a low of $4.7M in 202106, indicating potential instability in funding.
Strengths
Long operational history with 13 IRS 990 filings, indicating established presence.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($20.3M latest, $11.2M in 202406) despite declines, providing some financial cushion.
Periods of strong revenue generation, such as $30.8M in 201806 and $36.6M in 201506, demonstrate capacity for significant funding.
Spending Breakdown
How Institute For Citizens And Scholars allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Institute For Citizens And Scholars
Is Institute For Citizens And Scholars a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Institute For Citizens And Scholars (EIN: 210703075) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Institute For Citizens And Scholars a good charity to donate to?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $19.9M. Assets: $20.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Institute For Citizens And Scholars?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Institute For Citizens And Scholars is 210703075. 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 Institute For Citizens And Scholars spend its money?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Institute For Citizens And Scholars's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Institute For Citizens And Scholars's tax-exempt status using EIN 210703075 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 Institute For Citizens And Scholars demonstrates a fluctuating financial landscape over the past decade. While the organization reported $19,858,739 in latest revenue and $20,313,901 in assets, a closer look at the filing history reveals periods of significant operating deficits. For instance, in the 202406 period, expenses of $10,546,636 exceeded revenue of $6,848,256, indicating a deficit of over $3.6 million. Similar deficits are observed in multiple prior years, such as 202306 ($4.3M deficit) and 202106 ($5.5M deficit). This consistent trend of spending more than it earns in several periods raises questions about long-term financial sustainability if not offset by prior surpluses or endowment draws.
The organization's asset base has also seen a substantial decline, from a high of $47,989,811 in 201506 to $11,247,713 in 202406. This reduction of over 75% in assets over nine years, coupled with recurring operating deficits, suggests a reliance on drawing down reserves or significant non-operating income in certain years to cover expenses. The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings indicates either that no officers receive compensation or that it is reported in a way that doesn't fall under this specific disclosure, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.
Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. However, the recurring deficits and declining asset base suggest that the organization may be facing financial pressures. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially positive, also means there's less insight into how leadership is compensated, which is a key aspect of financial transparency for many donors.