Quick charity verification for Lewis County Head Start (EIN: 161126178)
Verdict: Lewis County Head Start appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.9MRevenue
$265KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
None apparent from the provided summary data.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Stable financial operations with consistent revenue growth over the past decade.
Assets generally exceed liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
Strong commitment to program services, implied by the lack of executive compensation.
Spending Breakdown
How Lewis County Head Start allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Lewis County Head Start
Is Lewis County Head Start a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lewis County Head Start (EIN: 161126178) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lewis County Head Start a good charity to donate to?
Lewis County Head Start has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.9M. Assets: $265K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lewis County Head Start?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lewis County Head Start is 161126178. 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 Lewis County Head Start spend its money?
Lewis County Head Start allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lewis County Head Start's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lewis County Head Start's tax-exempt status using EIN 161126178 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
Lewis County Head Start demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues generally keeping pace with expenses over the past decade. In the most recent filing (Period 202402), the organization reported revenues of $1,817,270 against expenses of $1,876,360, indicating a slight deficit for that period. However, this is not a consistent trend, as the prior two periods (202302 and 202202) showed surpluses. The organization's assets have fluctuated but remained relatively stable, with $291,582 in assets and $144,196 in liabilities in the latest filing, suggesting a healthy current ratio. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission and a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay.