Quick charity verification for Kalachakra Buddha Association (EIN: 208002744)
Verdict: Kalachakra Buddha Association appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$959KRevenue
$5.9MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided data, making efficiency analysis difficult.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over eight years, from $408,610 in 2016 to $916,174 in 2023.
Significant asset accumulation, growing from $2.97 million in 2016 to $5.41 million in 2023.
Reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating highly efficient leadership costs.
Expenses consistently well below revenue, demonstrating strong financial management and ability to build reserves.
Spending Breakdown
How Kalachakra Buddha Association 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 Kalachakra Buddha Association
Is Kalachakra Buddha Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Kalachakra Buddha Association (EIN: 208002744) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Kalachakra Buddha Association a good charity to donate to?
Kalachakra Buddha Association has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $959K. Assets: $5.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Kalachakra Buddha Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Kalachakra Buddha Association is 208002744. 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 Kalachakra Buddha Association spend its money?
Kalachakra Buddha Association allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Kalachakra Buddha Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Kalachakra Buddha Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 208002744 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 Kalachakra Buddha Association demonstrates a consistent pattern of financial growth and asset accumulation over the past eight years, with assets growing from $2.97 million in 2016 to $5.41 million in 2023. The organization consistently spends less than it earns, as evidenced by its 2023 revenue of $916,174 significantly exceeding its expenses of $427,320. This indicates a strong capacity to build reserves and invest in its mission. A notable aspect of its financial management is the reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a volunteer-led or very low-cost leadership structure, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to programs.
However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The NTEE code X50 (Religious) often implies a different operational model compared to other non-profits, where 'program' activities might be less quantifiable in traditional terms. The consistent liabilities around $1.35-$1.41 million warrant further investigation to understand their nature and impact on the organization's long-term financial health, though they have remained relatively stable as assets have grown.
Overall, the Kalachakra Buddha Association appears financially stable with a strong trend of asset growth and a conservative approach to executive compensation. Greater transparency regarding the allocation of its expenses would provide a clearer picture of its spending efficiency and program impact.