Quick charity verification for Lakes Region Community Services Council (EIN: 20329795)
Verdict: Lakes Region Community Services Council appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$24.1MRevenue
$10.4MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation into how executive compensation is structured and reported.
Strengths
Consistent financial stability with revenues closely matching expenses over a decade.
Strong and growing asset base, reaching $10,981,444 in 2023.
Long history of IRS 990 filings, indicating transparency and compliance.
Implied high program spending efficiency due to consistent near-zero officer compensation.
Steady growth in revenue, from $22.8M in 2014 to $31.5M in 2023, demonstrating organizational expansion and impact.
Spending Breakdown
How Lakes Region Community Services Council 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 Lakes Region Community Services Council
Is Lakes Region Community Services Council a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lakes Region Community Services Council (EIN: 20329795) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lakes Region Community Services Council a good charity to donate to?
Lakes Region Community Services Council has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $24.1M. Assets: $10.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lakes Region Community Services Council?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lakes Region Community Services Council is 20329795. 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 Lakes Region Community Services Council spend its money?
Lakes Region Community Services Council allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lakes Region Community Services Council's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lakes Region Community Services Council's tax-exempt status using EIN 20329795 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
Lakes Region Community Services Council demonstrates consistent financial stability and a strong commitment to its programmatic mission. Over the past decade, the organization has maintained a healthy balance between revenue and expenses, with recent filings showing revenues of $31,556,060 and expenses of $31,535,069 in 2023, indicating efficient resource utilization. Their asset base has also shown steady growth, reaching $10,981,444 in 2023, providing a solid foundation for future operations.
The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, with a significant portion of its expenditures directed towards program services. While specific breakdowns for administrative and fundraising costs are not provided in the summary data, the consistent near-zero officer compensation reported across all filings suggests a lean approach to executive overhead. This dedication to mission-related spending is a positive indicator of financial health.
Transparency is generally good, with a long history of IRS 990 filings available. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a notable point, though further detail on overall administrative costs would enhance a complete transparency assessment. The organization's consistent operational performance over many years suggests sound financial management.