Quick charity verification for Lake Gogebic Trails Inc (EIN: 200165585)
Verdict: Lake Gogebic Trails Inc appears trustworthy
78/100Mission Score
$632KRevenue
$656KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years (2022 and 2023), leading to asset depletion.
Significant decline in assets from $598,617 in 2021 to $287,569 in 2023.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency.
Maintains substantial assets relative to its annual revenue, even after recent declines, providing some financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How Lake Gogebic Trails Inc 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 Lake Gogebic Trails Inc
Is Lake Gogebic Trails Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lake Gogebic Trails Inc (EIN: 200165585) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 78/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Lake Gogebic Trails Inc a good charity to donate to?
Lake Gogebic Trails Inc has a Mission Score of 78/100. Revenue: $632K. Assets: $656K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lake Gogebic Trails Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lake Gogebic Trails Inc is 200165585. 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 Lake Gogebic Trails Inc spend its money?
Lake Gogebic Trails Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lake Gogebic Trails Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lake Gogebic Trails Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200165585 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
Lake Gogebic Trails Inc. demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not fully detailed in the provided summary, the organization's financial activity suggests a focus on trail maintenance and development, aligning with its NTEE code N68 (Recreation & Sports). The organization has shown fluctuating revenues and expenses over the past decade, with recent periods (2022 and 2023) showing expenses exceeding revenues, leading to a decrease in assets from a peak of $598,617 in 2021 to $287,569 in 2023. This trend warrants closer examination to ensure long-term financial stability.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available. A significant positive indicator is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available periods, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which can be a sign of efficient resource allocation. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a deeper assessment of spending efficiency. Further analysis of the full 990 forms would be necessary to fully understand the allocation of funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.