Quick charity verification for Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc (EIN: 205521484)
Verdict: Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$1.3MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent decline in revenue from $3.1M in 2018 to $0.85M in 2023.
Expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 2023, 2021).
Significant decrease in assets from $1.9M in 2018 to $1.1M in 2023.
High liabilities relative to assets in some periods (e.g., $525,485 liabilities vs. $1,112,722 assets in 2023).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong transparency and resource allocation.
Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrates consistent reporting to the IRS.
Spending Breakdown
How Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc
Is Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc (EIN: 205521484) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc a good charity to donate to?
Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc is 205521484. 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 Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc spend its money?
Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205521484 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
Lifeline Child & Family Servicesinc demonstrates a concerning trend of declining revenue and increasing liabilities over the past several years, which could impact its long-term financial stability. For instance, revenue dropped from $3,151,870 in 2018 to $852,918 in 2023, while liabilities remained substantial, reaching $525,485 in 2023. The organization also reported expenses exceeding revenue in several recent periods, such as in 2023 where expenses were $1,115,239 against $852,918 in revenue, indicating operational deficits. This consistent pattern of spending more than it earns, coupled with a significant reduction in assets from a peak of $1,935,197 in 2018 to $1,112,722 in 2023, suggests a need for a strategic financial review to ensure sustainability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator of transparency regarding executive pay.