Is Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation (EIN: 204072755)

Strengths

Consistent revenue surpluses over expenses, indicating strong financial management.
Significant growth in net assets, from $4.3M in 2014 to over $9M in 2023, enhancing long-term capacity.
Extremely low and stable liabilities, demonstrating financial prudence and minimal debt.
0% reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting highly efficient use of funds and potentially volunteer leadership.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (12 filings), indicating good transparency practices.

Spending Breakdown

How Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation

Is Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation (EIN: 204072755) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $11.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation is 204072755. 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 Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation spend its money?

Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204072755 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 Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and spending efficiency based on its IRS 990 filings. Over the past several years, the organization has consistently reported revenues significantly exceeding expenses, leading to substantial growth in net assets. For instance, in the 202303 period, revenue was $708,445 against expenses of $379,357, indicating a healthy surplus. This trend is consistent across most years, with assets growing from $4,396,359 in 2014 to $9,023,136 in 2023. The foundation's liabilities have remained very low and stable, often around $31,315, which is a positive indicator of financial stability and responsible management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation also suggests a high degree of volunteer leadership or very modest compensation, contributing to efficient use of funds.

The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, as evidenced by the significant gap between revenue and expenses, allowing for asset accumulation to support its mission. While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided data, the overall financial picture suggests that a large portion of funds are either directly applied to programs or reinvested to build long-term capacity. The absence of reported officer compensation further enhances the perception of efficiency and a focus on mission-related expenditures. The consistent filing of IRS 990s over 12 periods indicates a commitment to transparency.

Overall, the Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation appears to be a financially sound and well-managed organization. Its ability to consistently generate surpluses, grow assets, and maintain low liabilities, coupled with no reported officer compensation, points to a highly efficient and mission-focused operation. The consistent filing history also supports a positive view of its transparency practices.

Is Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation appears trustworthy