Is Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil Legit?
Quick charity verification for Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil (EIN: 204994743)
Verdict: Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$155KRevenue
$513KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant deficit in the most recent fiscal year (2024), with expenses exceeding revenue by $70,832.
Highly fluctuating revenue stream over the past five years, which could impact long-term financial planning and sustainability.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong fiscal prudence and dedication to mission.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets consistently much higher than liabilities (e.g., $482,728 assets vs. $13,686 liabilities in 2024).
Clear alignment between organization name and NTEE code (Economic Development), suggesting a focused mission.
Positive net assets growth over the long term, from $39,370 in 2016 to $482,728 in 2024.
Spending Breakdown
How Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil 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 Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil
Is Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil (EIN: 204994743) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil a good charity to donate to?
Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $155K. Assets: $513K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil is 204994743. 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 Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil spend its money?
Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil's tax-exempt status using EIN 204994743 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
The Lincoln County Economic Developmentcouncil demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across most recent periods. For instance, in 2024, assets were $482,728 against liabilities of $13,686, indicating a strong balance sheet. However, the organization experienced a significant deficit in the 2024 fiscal year, with expenses ($286,631) substantially exceeding revenue ($215,799). This contrasts with the prior two years (2023 and 2022) where revenues comfortably outpaced expenses, suggesting a potential shift in operational spending or funding. The organization's revenue has fluctuated considerably over the past five years, from a high of $471,908 in 2021 to a low of $146,225 in 2019, which could pose challenges for long-term financial planning if not managed effectively.
Regarding spending efficiency, the provided data does not break down expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, making a precise assessment difficult. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a strong indicator of fiscal prudence and a commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances the organization's transparency and trustworthiness. The organization's NTEE code S300 (Economic Development) aligns with its name, suggesting a clear mission focus.
Overall, while the organization maintains a healthy asset-to-liability ratio and exhibits strong transparency regarding executive compensation, the recent deficit in 2024 warrants closer examination. Fluctuating revenues also suggest a need for robust fundraising strategies to ensure sustainable operations. The lack of detailed expense breakdown is the primary limitation in fully assessing spending efficiency.