Is Lincoln Theatre Association Legit? —…

Strengths

Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $10 million, providing financial security.
Low liabilities in recent years (e.g., $181,619 in 2023) indicate good debt management.
No reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a highly efficient or volunteer-led executive structure.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates commitment to transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Lincoln Theatre Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Lincoln Theatre Association

Is Lincoln Theatre Association a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lincoln Theatre Association (EIN: 205886656) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Lincoln Theatre Association a good charity to donate to?

Lincoln Theatre Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $1.6M. Assets: $10.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lincoln Theatre Association?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lincoln Theatre Association is 205886656. 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 Theatre Association spend its money?

Lincoln Theatre Association allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lincoln Theatre Association's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lincoln Theatre Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 205886656 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 Theatre Association demonstrates a stable financial position with consistent assets, averaging over $11 million in recent years. While revenue has fluctuated, with a notable peak of $2,974,649 in 2016 and a low of $638,302 in 2014, the organization has generally managed its expenses, which have remained relatively stable around $1 million to $1.5 million annually. The most recent filing (202306) shows expenses exceeding revenue ($1,517,539 vs. $1,340,875), indicating a deficit for that period, though this is not uncommon for arts organizations and can be managed with reserves. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low in recent years, suggesting good financial management.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment is challenging. However, the consistent asset base and managed liabilities suggest a responsible approach to resource allocation. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency if not clearly disclosed elsewhere.

Transparency appears to be high in terms of executive compensation, as no officer compensation is reported across all available filings. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary limits a full assessment of spending efficiency. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over many years demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.

Is Lincoln Theatre Association Legit?

Verdict: Lincoln Theatre Association appears trustworthy

Red Flags