Quick charity verification for Lutheran Volunteer Corps (EIN: 20702016)
Verdict: Lutheran Volunteer Corps appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$302KRevenue
$696KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and sustained decline in revenue and expenses over a decade, indicating a shrinking operational footprint.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to directing resources towards the mission.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio in the latest filing ($763,622 assets vs. $19,525 liabilities), suggesting good financial management of current resources.
Regular IRS 990 filings demonstrate transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Lutheran Volunteer Corps 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 Lutheran Volunteer Corps
Is Lutheran Volunteer Corps a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lutheran Volunteer Corps (EIN: 20702016) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Lutheran Volunteer Corps a good charity to donate to?
Lutheran Volunteer Corps has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $302K. Assets: $696K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lutheran Volunteer Corps?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lutheran Volunteer Corps is 20702016. 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 Lutheran Volunteer Corps spend its money?
Lutheran Volunteer Corps allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lutheran Volunteer Corps's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lutheran Volunteer Corps's tax-exempt status using EIN 20702016 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
Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) demonstrates a concerning trend of declining revenue and expenses over the past decade, indicating a significant contraction in its operations. Revenue has fallen from nearly $2 million in 2014 to $592,213 in 2023, with a corresponding decrease in expenses. While the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive sign for resource allocation, the overall financial health is challenged by this sustained decline. The organization's assets have fluctuated but generally remained below $1 million, with liabilities also showing variability. The latest filing shows assets of $763,622 against liabilities of $19,525, indicating a strong current asset position relative to short-term obligations.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of no officer compensation suggests that leadership is not drawing a salary, which can contribute to higher program spending ratios. The significant reduction in scale, however, raises questions about the long-term sustainability and impact of the organization at its current operational level. The NTEE code P19 (Religious Activities, n.e.c.) suggests a focus on religious programming, and the lack of executive compensation aligns with a volunteer-centric model.
Transparency appears to be adequate given the regular filing of IRS Form 990s. The consistent reporting of key financial metrics allows for an overview of the organization's financial trajectory. However, without more granular expense data, a complete picture of spending efficiency and program impact remains somewhat obscured. The dramatic decrease in revenue and expenses over the last ten years is the most prominent financial trend, suggesting a need for strategic re-evaluation or a significant shift in operational model.