Quick charity verification for Legal Services Of Central New York Inc (EIN: 160925269)
Verdict: Legal Services Of Central New York Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$8.4MRevenue
$7.7MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant increase in liabilities in recent years (from $1,146,619 in 2021 to $6,911,025 in 2023) without clear explanation in provided data.
Strengths
Consistent operational scale with revenues generally covering expenses.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high transparency or efficient use of funds.
Assets have shown growth, particularly from 2021 to 2023, suggesting potential for increased capacity.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating sustained operation and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Legal Services Of Central New York Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Legal Services Of Central New York Inc
Is Legal Services Of Central New York Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Legal Services Of Central New York Inc (EIN: 160925269) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Legal Services Of Central New York Inc a good charity to donate to?
Legal Services Of Central New York Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $8.4M. Assets: $7.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Legal Services Of Central New York Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Legal Services Of Central New York Inc is 160925269. 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 Legal Services Of Central New York Inc spend its money?
Legal Services Of Central New York Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Legal Services Of Central New York Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Legal Services Of Central New York Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160925269 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
Legal Services Of Central New York Inc demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in close alignment over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $7,596,745 against expenses of $7,610,038, indicating a near break-even operation. The organization's assets have shown significant fluctuation, with a notable increase from $2,247,401 in 2021 to $8,084,150 in 2023, alongside a corresponding rise in liabilities. This suggests potential capital investments or changes in funding structure that warrant further investigation to understand the long-term implications for financial stability.
The organization appears to maintain a strong focus on its programmatic mission, as evidenced by the typical spending patterns of legal aid organizations. While specific program spending ratios are not provided in the raw data, the consistent operational scale and the nature of legal services suggest that the majority of expenses are directed towards direct service delivery. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported as 'officer compensation' in the same manner as some other nonprofits, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.
Overall, Legal Services Of Central New York Inc appears to be a stable organization with a clear mission. The close alignment of revenues and expenses, coupled with the absence of reported officer compensation, points to a fiscally responsible and transparent operation. However, the substantial increase in assets and liabilities in recent years could indicate strategic growth or changes in financial management that would benefit from more detailed disclosure to fully assess long-term financial health and sustainability.