Quick charity verification for John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund (EIN: 204973749)
Verdict: John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund shows mixed signals
40/100Mission Score
$1Revenue
$23KAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant revenue deficit (e.g., $1 revenue vs. $4,900 expenses in 2023).
Steady decline in total assets over five years ($45,121 in 2019 to $26,848 in 2023).
Unsustainable financial model relying on asset depletion rather than earned revenue.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Very low liabilities ($0-$1), suggesting good financial management in terms of debt.
Spending Breakdown
How John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund
Is John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund (EIN: 204973749) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 40/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund a good charity to donate to?
John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund has a Mission Score of 40/100. Revenue: $1. Assets: $23K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund is 204973749. 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 John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund spend its money?
John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund's tax-exempt status using EIN 204973749 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 John E Bell Memorial Scholarshipfund appears to be in a precarious financial position, with its revenue consistently failing to cover its expenses over the past five years. In 2023, the organization reported only $1 in revenue against $4,900 in expenses, leading to a significant draw-down of its assets. This trend of expenses far exceeding revenue is consistent across all reported periods, indicating a reliance on existing assets rather than sustainable fundraising. While the organization maintains a very low liability of $1 and reports no officer compensation, which speaks to a degree of financial prudence in those areas, the fundamental imbalance between income and outflow is a major concern for its long-term viability.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of its expenses. However, given its mission as a scholarship fund, it is presumed that the majority of its expenses are directly related to program services (scholarships). The consistent decline in assets from $45,121 in 2019 to $26,848 in 2023, while liabilities remain minimal, suggests that the organization is liquidating its endowment to cover operational costs and scholarship disbursements. This is not a sustainable model for a scholarship fund.
Transparency appears to be adequate through its IRS 990 filings, which are publicly available. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of responsible governance regarding executive pay. However, the lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data makes it challenging to fully evaluate the efficiency of its spending beyond the overall revenue-expense imbalance. The primary concern remains the organization's ability to generate sufficient revenue to support its mission without depleting its principal assets.