Quick charity verification for Living East Bay Inc (EIN: 200288881)
Verdict: Living East Bay Inc shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$1.2MRevenue
$2.7MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits over multiple years (e.g., 2021: $332,802 revenue vs. $463,516 expenses).
Liabilities consistently exceed assets, indicating a negative net asset position (e.g., 2021: $3,609,736 liabilities vs. $2,818,548 assets).
Significant increase in latest reported revenue ($1,177,145) without corresponding expense data to assess impact on financial health.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown beyond total expenses, making it difficult to assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over ten periods, indicating compliance and transparency in reporting.
Reported 0% officer compensation, which can be viewed positively by donors regarding executive pay.
Spending Breakdown
How Living East Bay Inc 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 Living East Bay Inc
Is Living East Bay Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Living East Bay Inc (EIN: 200288881) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Living East Bay Inc a good charity to donate to?
Living East Bay Inc has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $1.2M. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Living East Bay Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Living East Bay Inc is 200288881. 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 Living East Bay Inc spend its money?
Living East Bay Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Living East Bay Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Living East Bay Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200288881 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
Living East Bay Inc. demonstrates a concerning trend of operating deficits over the past decade, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue in most reported periods. For instance, in 2021, expenses were $463,516 against revenues of $332,802, indicating a significant shortfall. This persistent deficit has led to a negative net asset position, as liabilities have consistently outpaced assets, reaching $3,609,736 in liabilities against $2,818,548 in assets in 2021. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence, the overall financial health is precarious due to the ongoing operational losses and growing liabilities.
The organization's financial stability is further challenged by its high liabilities relative to assets. In 2021, liabilities were approximately 128% of assets, a ratio that has been consistently high across all reported years. This suggests a reliance on debt or other obligations to sustain operations. The latest reported revenue of $1,177,145 is significantly higher than previous years, which could indicate a recent positive shift, but without corresponding expense data for the latest period, it's difficult to assess if this has translated into improved financial health or merely a temporary influx of funds. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a thorough assessment of spending efficiency, but the consistent operating deficits are a primary concern.
Regarding transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over ten periods is a positive indicator. However, the absence of officer compensation, while potentially good for public perception, could also raise questions about how leadership is compensated or if the organization is entirely volunteer-run at the executive level. A more detailed breakdown of expenses beyond just total revenue and expenses would enhance transparency and allow for a clearer understanding of how funds are allocated between programs, administration, and fundraising.