Is Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc Legit?…

Quick charity verification for Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc (EIN: 202284555)

Strengths

Strong program spending efficiency due to 0% officer compensation.
Consistent revenue growth, nearly doubling from 2020 to 2023 ($145,498 to $265,169).
Excellent asset-to-liability ratio, indicating strong financial stability (e.g., $692,017 assets vs. $6,481 liabilities in 2023).
Regular and complete IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency.
Positive net income in recent years, contributing to asset growth (e.g., $103,965 surplus in 2023).

Spending Breakdown

How Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc 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 Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc

Is Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc (EIN: 202284555) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc a good charity to donate to?

Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $277K. Assets: $680K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc is 202284555. 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 Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc spend its money?

Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202284555 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 Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with consistent revenue growth over the past several years, culminating in $265,169 in revenue for the 2023 fiscal period. The organization maintains a strong asset base, reaching $692,017 in 2023, significantly exceeding its liabilities of $6,481, indicating good financial stability. Spending efficiency appears robust, with program expenses consuming a substantial portion of total expenditures, as is typical for a direct service provider like a fire department. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with no reported officer compensation, suggests a commitment to transparency and efficient use of funds, particularly given its volunteer-driven nature.

The organization's financial health has shown positive trends, with revenue nearly doubling from $145,498 in 2020 to $265,169 in 2023. Expenses have also increased but at a slower rate, leading to a healthy surplus in recent years (e.g., $103,965 in 2023). This surplus contributes to the growth in assets, which is crucial for a fire department that likely needs to invest in equipment and infrastructure. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods is a significant indicator of a volunteer-led model, further enhancing its spending efficiency and demonstrating a strong commitment to its mission without high administrative overhead.

Overall, the Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc appears to be a well-managed and financially stable nonprofit. Its consistent revenue growth, strong asset-to-liability ratio, and efficient spending patterns, particularly the lack of executive compensation, paint a picture of an organization effectively utilizing its resources to serve its community. The regular and complete IRS 990 filings contribute to its transparency, allowing for public scrutiny of its financial operations.

Is Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc Legit?

Verdict: Lauderdale Lagrange Fire Dept Inc appears trustworthy