Quick charity verification for Lighthouse Youth Center Inc (EIN: 203390217)
Verdict: Lighthouse Youth Center Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.3MRevenue
$2.7MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low or zero reported officer compensation, which might indicate underreporting or a fully volunteer-run leadership for an organization of this size, warranting further investigation into operational structure.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth from $453,197 in 2014 to $1,257,377 in 2023.
Significant asset growth from $258,890 in 2014 to $2,823,683 in 2023, indicating strong financial health.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue, allowing for reserve building.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting resources are directed towards programs.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How Lighthouse Youth Center Inc 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 Lighthouse Youth Center Inc
Is Lighthouse Youth Center Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lighthouse Youth Center Inc (EIN: 203390217) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lighthouse Youth Center Inc a good charity to donate to?
Lighthouse Youth Center Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.3M. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lighthouse Youth Center Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lighthouse Youth Center Inc is 203390217. 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 Lighthouse Youth Center Inc spend its money?
Lighthouse Youth Center Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lighthouse Youth Center Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lighthouse Youth Center Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 203390217 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
Lighthouse Youth Center Inc demonstrates consistent financial growth and strong program spending efficiency over the past decade. The organization has steadily increased its revenue from $453,197 in 2014 to $1,257,377 in 2023, while also building its asset base significantly from $258,890 to $2,823,683 in the same period. This indicates effective financial management and an ability to attract and retain funding.
The organization's spending patterns, particularly the absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings, suggest a strong commitment to directing resources towards its mission. With expenses consistently lower than revenue, Lighthouse Youth Center Inc has been able to build a healthy reserve, as evidenced by its growing assets and relatively low liabilities. This financial stability provides a solid foundation for its youth programs in Milwaukee.
While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health, consistent growth, and lack of executive compensation suggest a well-managed and transparent operation focused on its mission. Further detailed analysis of the full 990 forms would be beneficial to confirm the exact spending ratios, but the available data paints a positive picture of financial stewardship.