Is Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc (EIN: 202805872)
Verdict: Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$2.7MRevenue
$2.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data limits full efficiency assessment.
Consistent 0% officer compensation is unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a need for further inquiry into leadership compensation structure.
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth, from $330,515 in 2014 to $1,208,049 in 2023.
Healthy asset accumulation, growing from $94,123 in 2014 to $980,025 in 2023, indicating strong financial stability.
Expenses consistently below revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue $1,208,049 vs. expenses $803,322), demonstrating sound financial management.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, potentially indicating a high proportion of resources directed to programs.
Spending Breakdown
How Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc
Is Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc (EIN: 202805872) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc a good charity to donate to?
Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc is 202805872. 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 Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc spend its money?
Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202805872 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
Little Lighthouse Central Mississippi Inc demonstrates a strong and consistent financial growth trajectory, with revenue increasing from $330,515 in 2014 to $1,208,049 in 2023. The organization has consistently managed its expenses below its revenue in recent years, leading to a healthy accumulation of assets, which grew from $94,123 in 2014 to $980,025 in 2023. This indicates sound financial management and the ability to build reserves.
The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, as evidenced by its positive net income in most recent periods. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that executive leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which could be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to programs. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is limited.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing history. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant point for transparency, as it suggests either volunteer leadership or a compensation structure that warrants further inquiry for a complete understanding of operational costs. The consistent growth in assets and revenue, coupled with controlled expenses, paints a picture of a financially stable and growing nonprofit.