Quick charity verification for Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust (EIN: 204036256)
Verdict: Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$930KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low or zero reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which might indicate compensation is reported under other categories or that leadership is entirely volunteer-based, warranting further investigation into operational structure.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, from $467,765 in 2019 to $728,128 in 2023, indicating increasing support.
Healthy asset growth, from $351,587 in 2019 to $885,477 in 2023, enhancing long-term stability.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong focus on program spending.
Consistent operational surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most recent years (e.g., $728,128 revenue vs. $703,179 expenses in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust 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 Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust
Is Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust (EIN: 204036256) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust a good charity to donate to?
Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $930K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust is 204036256. 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 Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust spend its money?
Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust's tax-exempt status using EIN 204036256 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
Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust demonstrates consistent financial growth and a strong commitment to its program services. Over the past five years, revenue has steadily increased from $467,765 in 2019 to $728,128 in 2023, indicating growing support for its mission. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in 2023 where revenue of $728,128 exceeded expenses of $703,179, contributing to a healthy growth in assets from $351,587 in 2019 to $885,477 in 2023.
The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, with a significant portion of its expenses directed towards programs. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings is a notable indicator of financial prudence and a focus on mission-related spending rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances the organization's transparency and demonstrates a commitment to maximizing the impact of donor contributions.
Overall, Lucys Love Bus Charitable Trust exhibits sound financial management, a clear dedication to its programmatic goals, and a high degree of transparency regarding its operational costs. The consistent growth in assets and revenue, coupled with zero reported officer compensation, paints a picture of a well-managed and mission-driven nonprofit.