Quick charity verification for Lobster Conservancy (EIN: 10507500)
Verdict: Lobster Conservancy shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$39KRevenue
$193KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in most recent years (e.g., $46,373 expenses vs. $38,492 revenue in 2023).
Declining asset base: Total assets have decreased from $304,387 in 2016 to $205,197 in 2023, indicating reliance on reserves to cover deficits.
Strengths
Volunteer-led leadership: Officer compensation has consistently been 0%, indicating a highly dedicated, unpaid leadership.
Low liabilities: Liabilities are minimal (e.g., $1,990 in 2023), suggesting responsible debt management.
Long operational history: The organization has a history of 13 filings, indicating sustained commitment to its mission.
Spending Breakdown
How Lobster Conservancy 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 Lobster Conservancy
Is Lobster Conservancy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lobster Conservancy (EIN: 10507500) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Lobster Conservancy a good charity to donate to?
Lobster Conservancy has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $39K. Assets: $193K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lobster Conservancy?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lobster Conservancy is 10507500. 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 Lobster Conservancy spend its money?
Lobster Conservancy allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lobster Conservancy's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lobster Conservancy's tax-exempt status using EIN 10507500 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 Lobster Conservancy appears to be a small, long-standing organization with a consistent operational deficit over the past several years. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $38,492 against expenses of $46,373, continuing a trend where expenses have outpaced revenue since at least 2017. This has led to a gradual decline in assets, from a peak of $304,387 in 2016 to $205,197 in 2023. While the organization maintains a healthy asset base relative to its annual expenses (approximately 4.4 years of operating expenses based on 2023 figures), the sustained deficit spending is a concern for long-term financial sustainability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership, which can be a positive for program efficiency, but also raises questions about the capacity for strategic financial planning to address the ongoing deficits.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operational losses indicate that the organization is not generating sufficient revenue to cover its activities. Transparency appears high in terms of public filings, with 13 filings available, and the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a clear indicator of how leadership is compensated. The low liabilities also suggest responsible financial management in terms of debt.
Overall, The Lobster Conservancy demonstrates a commitment to its mission, evidenced by its long operational history and volunteer leadership. However, its financial health is challenged by persistent deficits and declining assets, which warrant closer examination of its revenue generation strategies and expense management to ensure future viability. The organization's ability to sustain operations with declining assets will depend on its capacity to reverse the trend of deficit spending.