Quick charity verification for Lakes Region Television (EIN: 10476274)
Verdict: Lakes Region Television appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$118KRevenue
$117KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication of funds to mission.
Consistently low liabilities, demonstrating strong financial management and minimal debt.
Stable asset base, growing from $67,145 in 2011 to $116,758 currently, indicating financial resilience.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (9 filings), showing strong transparency and compliance.
Revenue and expenses generally stable over the past decade, indicating predictable operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Lakes Region Television allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Television
Is Lakes Region Television a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lakes Region Television (EIN: 10476274) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lakes Region Television a good charity to donate to?
Lakes Region Television has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $118K. Assets: $117K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lakes Region Television?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lakes Region Television is 10476274. 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 Television spend its money?
Lakes Region Television allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lakes Region Television's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lakes Region Television's tax-exempt status using EIN 10476274 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 Television demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally hovering around the $100,000 to $150,000 mark over the past decade. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, currently at $116,758, which has shown growth from $67,145 in 2011. Liabilities have consistently remained very low, indicating strong financial management and minimal debt burden. The organization's commitment to transparency is evident through its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with nine filings available, and the explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation across all periods, which is a significant positive indicator for a nonprofit of this size.
While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests that a substantial portion of expenses is likely directed towards operational costs and program delivery. The organization has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2024 ($134,724 expenses vs. $116,326 revenue) and 2022 ($113,850 expenses vs. $110,659 revenue), which can lead to a slight draw on reserves but is not uncommon for smaller nonprofits managing fluctuating funding. Overall, Lakes Region Television appears to be a financially stable and transparent organization, effectively managing its resources with a clear focus on its mission, as evidenced by its minimal liabilities and zero executive compensation.