Quick charity verification for Making A Difference (EIN: 202027076)
Verdict: Making A Difference appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2KRevenue
$322Assets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Extremely low revenue and assets, limiting potential impact
Strengths
100% program spending (no officer compensation reported)
No liabilities reported in either filing period
Positive net assets and revenue exceeding expenses in both reported periods
Consistent IRS 990 filing history for its operational period
Spending Breakdown
How Making A Difference allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
100%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
0%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Making A Difference
Is Making A Difference a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Making A Difference (EIN: 202027076) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Making A Difference a good charity to donate to?
Making A Difference has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2K. Assets: $322. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Making A Difference?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Making A Difference is 202027076. 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 Making A Difference spend its money?
Making A Difference allocates 100% to programs, 0% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Making A Difference's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Making A Difference's tax-exempt status using EIN 202027076 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
Making A Difference appears to be a very small, nascent organization with limited financial activity. In 2019, it reported total revenue of $1,565 and expenses of $1,318, resulting in a modest surplus. Its assets are minimal at $322, with no reported liabilities, indicating a debt-free but also very lean financial structure. The organization has consistently reported 0% officer compensation in both available filings, which is a strong indicator of volunteer-led operations and efficient use of its extremely limited funds, as all revenue is directed towards its mission rather than executive salaries. Given its size, detailed spending breakdowns are not available, but the absence of executive compensation suggests a high degree of financial efficiency for its scale.
The organization's transparency is good, with two filings available, showing consistent reporting. However, the extremely low revenue and asset base suggest it is either a very new or very small, community-focused initiative. While its financial health is stable given its small scale (expenses are less than revenue), its capacity for significant impact is inherently limited by its current funding levels. The lack of liabilities is a positive sign of responsible financial management, albeit on a very small budget.