Is Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc (EIN: 205778971)
Verdict: Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$572KRevenue
$1.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 ($878,592 expenses vs. $625,785 revenue), indicating an operating deficit for that period.
Significant fluctuation in annual revenue, making future financial projections less predictable.
Strengths
Consistently reports $0 in liabilities across all 13 filings, indicating excellent financial stability and no debt.
Reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a highly efficient use of funds and potentially volunteer leadership.
Maintains a strong asset base, consistently over $1 million in recent years.
Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods demonstrates strong transparency and accountability.
Spending Breakdown
How Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc
Is Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc (EIN: 205778971) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc a good charity to donate to?
Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $572K. Assets: $1.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc is 205778971. 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 Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc spend its money?
Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205778971 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
Iowa Lutheran School Tuitionorganization Inc, operating as a tuition organization, demonstrates a generally stable financial position with assets consistently over $1 million in recent years, reaching $1,171,580 in 2023. The organization's revenue has fluctuated, with a notable high of $1,193,834 in 2020, but has seen a decline to $625,785 in 2023. Expenses have also varied, exceeding revenue in several periods, such as 2023 where expenses were $878,592 against $625,785 in revenue, indicating a deficit for that year. However, the organization maintains zero liabilities across all reported periods, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and responsible fiscal management.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be focused heavily on its program services, given its mission as a tuition organization. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead. The absence of liabilities further reinforces a lean operational structure and a commitment to direct application of funds.
Transparency is high due to the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, providing a clear historical financial record. The detailed breakdown of revenue and expenses, coupled with zero reported liabilities and officer compensation, offers a straightforward view into the organization's financial activities. This consistent reporting allows for a comprehensive assessment of its financial health and operational practices.