Is Lee Inc Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Lee Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Lee Inc

Is Lee Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lee Inc (EIN: 208848357) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Lee Inc a good charity to donate to?

Lee Inc has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $24.9M. Assets: $3.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lee Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lee Inc is 208848357. 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 Lee Inc spend its money?

Lee Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lee Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lee Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208848357 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

Lee Inc. demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past seven years, with revenues ranging from $15.5 million to $32.5 million. In the latest reported period (202312), the organization experienced a slight deficit, with expenses of $18,178,915 exceeding revenues of $17,874,100. This trend of expenses sometimes exceeding revenue is observed in multiple periods, such as 202212 and 201812, indicating a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. Despite these fluctuations, the organization maintains a healthy asset base relative to its liabilities, with assets of $3,691,580 and liabilities of $2,628,445 in the most recent filing.

The organization's transparency appears strong regarding executive compensation, as officer compensation has been reported as 0% across all available filings. This suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is not reported under 'officer compensation' in a way that is visible in these summaries, which would warrant further investigation. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over seven periods indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.

While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture suggests an organization that manages significant funds. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, though a deeper dive into functional expenses would be necessary to fully assess spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising.

Verdict: Lee Inc appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths