Quick charity verification for Lincoln County Television (EIN: 10471814)
Verdict: Lincoln County Television appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$255KRevenue
$235KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in 4 of 5 years)
Increasing liabilities over time (from $329 in 2019 to $27,375 in 2023)
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating lean administrative costs or volunteer leadership
Significant recent growth in assets (from $40,924 in 2023 to $235,149)
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency
Revenue growth over the five-year period (from $71,948 in 2019 to $226,585 in 2023)
Spending Breakdown
How Lincoln County Television 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 Television
Is Lincoln County Television a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lincoln County Television (EIN: 10471814) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lincoln County Television a good charity to donate to?
Lincoln County Television has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $255K. Assets: $235K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lincoln County Television?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lincoln County Television is 10471814. 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 Television spend its money?
Lincoln County Television allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lincoln County Television's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lincoln County Television's tax-exempt status using EIN 10471814 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
Lincoln County Television demonstrates consistent operational deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in four of the last five reported periods. For example, in 2023, expenses were $232,218 against revenues of $226,585, indicating a reliance on prior reserves or other funding to cover shortfalls. Despite these deficits, the organization's assets have shown a significant increase from $40,924 in 2023 to the latest reported $235,149, suggesting a recent substantial influx of capital or asset revaluation. The organization reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is a positive indicator of volunteer leadership or very modest compensation not meeting reporting thresholds, contributing to lower administrative overhead.
The financial health, while showing operational deficits, is bolstered by the recent asset growth. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests a lean administrative structure, which generally points to efficient use of funds for its mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to transparency.
Overall, Lincoln County Television appears to be a community-focused organization with a lean leadership structure. While operational deficits are a concern, the recent growth in assets suggests a potential turnaround or significant investment. Further detail on expense allocation would provide a clearer picture of spending efficiency.