Quick charity verification for Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund (EIN: 205910097)
Verdict: Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$6KRevenue
$7KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending (expenses often exceed revenue, e.g., $4,052 expenses vs. $3,737 revenue in 2023)
Very small operating budget, limiting potential impact
Strengths
Zero officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds
No reported liabilities across all available filings, suggesting sound financial management of debt
Consistent filing history, demonstrating transparency and compliance
Stable asset base despite deficit spending, indicating careful management of reserves
Spending Breakdown
How Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund 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 Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund
Is Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund (EIN: 205910097) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund a good charity to donate to?
Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $6K. Assets: $7K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund is 205910097. 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 Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund spend its money?
Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 205910097 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 Lindsey L Zeller Memorial Fund operates on a very small scale, with annual revenues consistently below $6,000 and assets typically under $7,000. The organization's financial health appears stable given its size, maintaining positive assets and no reported liabilities across all available filings. However, it frequently spends more than it brings in, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $4,052 against revenues of $3,737, and in 2021 where expenses were $4,510 against revenues of $3,351. This consistent deficit spending, while not immediately critical due to its small asset base, suggests a reliance on prior year reserves or inconsistent funding.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not typically required for organizations filing Form 990-N or 990-EZ. However, the consistent zero officer compensation indicates that leadership is likely volunteer-based, which is a positive for maximizing funds for programs. The organization's small size and consistent filing of the appropriate forms (likely 990-N or 990-EZ given revenue levels) suggest a basic level of transparency, but more detailed financial information is not publicly available due to its small scale.
Overall, the fund appears to be a very small, volunteer-run operation. While it consistently spends more than it earns, its asset base remains stable, indicating careful management of its limited resources. Its transparency is adequate for its size, but its financial sustainability relies on its ability to cover operational deficits.