Is Locustwood Cemetery Association Legit?

Quick charity verification for Locustwood Cemetery Association (EIN: 210501600)

Verdict: Locustwood Cemetery Association appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$2.7MRevenue

$27.0MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits in some years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2018, 2016, 2014) without clear explanation of how these are covered long-term.
Significant and consistent increase in liabilities from $8.4M in 2014 to $14.3M in 2023 without detailed explanation of their nature.
Lack of reported officer compensation for an organization of this size and asset base, which could indicate compensation is hidden or handled in an unusual manner.

Strengths

Strong and consistent asset growth, from $20.7M in 2014 to $26.7M in 2023, indicating long-term financial stability.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 13 periods, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Generally stable revenue streams over the past decade, with latest revenue at $2,738,702.

Spending Breakdown

How Locustwood Cemetery Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Locustwood Cemetery Association

Is Locustwood Cemetery Association a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Locustwood Cemetery Association (EIN: 210501600) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Locustwood Cemetery Association a good charity to donate to?

Locustwood Cemetery Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $27.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Locustwood Cemetery Association?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Locustwood Cemetery Association is 210501600. 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 Locustwood Cemetery Association spend its money?

Locustwood Cemetery Association allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Locustwood Cemetery Association's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Locustwood Cemetery Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 210501600 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

Locustwood Cemetery Association demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues generally covering expenses over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $2,687,419 against revenues of $2,320,425, indicating a slight deficit, while in 2021, revenues of $2,404,307 exceeded expenses of $2,168,943. The organization's assets have shown steady growth, increasing from $20,770,725 in 2014 to $26,729,842 in 2023, suggesting sound long-term financial management. Liabilities have also increased over this period, from $8,463,985 to $14,367,230, which warrants further investigation into their nature.

Spending efficiency appears stable, with no reported officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The consistent asset growth, despite occasional operational deficits, suggests effective management of its endowment or investment portfolio, which is crucial for a cemetery association's long-term sustainability.

Transparency is generally good given the availability of multiple years of 990 filings. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation enhances trust. However, the lack of NTEE code information and detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of its operational focus and efficiency. Further transparency regarding the nature of its liabilities would also be beneficial for stakeholders.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.