Quick charity verification for Living Goods (EIN: 205010527)
Verdict: Living Goods appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$23.8MRevenue
$35.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility (e.g., $42.7M in 2022 to $17.5M in 2023)
Expenses exceeding revenue in the most recent filing period (202312: $23.7M expenses vs. $17.5M revenue)
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership compensation.
Strong asset base ($35,680,143 latest) provides financial stability.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio across all periods.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates transparency and accountability.
Spending Breakdown
How Living Goods 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 Living Goods
Is Living Goods a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Living Goods (EIN: 205010527) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Living Goods a good charity to donate to?
Living Goods has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $23.8M. Assets: $35.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Living Goods?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Living Goods is 205010527. 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 Goods spend its money?
Living Goods allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Living Goods's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Living Goods's tax-exempt status using EIN 205010527 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 Goods demonstrates a generally strong financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across its filing history. While revenue has fluctuated significantly, from a high of $42,704,688 in 2022 to $17,489,687 in 2023, the organization has managed its expenses, which have remained relatively stable around $20-26 million in recent years. The substantial asset base of $35,680,143 (latest available) provides a solid foundation for its operations.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be robust, with a significant portion of its expenditures directed towards program services. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation in all available filings indicates a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for donors. However, the recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, as seen in 2023 ($23,722,146 expenses vs. $17,489,687 revenue), warrants monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability, although this could be due to strategic investments or timing of grant receipts.
Living Goods' transparency is commendable, particularly with the clear disclosure of 0% officer compensation across all provided filings. This level of detail in their 990s allows for a clear understanding of how funds are allocated. The organization's consistent filing history further contributes to its transparency, providing a comprehensive view of its financial evolution over more than a decade.