Quick charity verification for Making Books Sing Inc (EIN: 134201577)
Verdict: Making Books Sing Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$2.2MRevenue
$336KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Liabilities occasionally exceed assets (e.g., 2017: Assets=$203,047, Liabilities=$359,464; 2018: Assets=$286,142, Liabilities=$320,152), which could indicate short-term liquidity challenges.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over a decade, from $611,721 in 2014 to $1,798,417 in 2023.
Zero officer compensation reported across all 12 filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication of funds to mission.
Expenses generally align closely with revenue, suggesting prudent financial management.
Positive asset growth over the long term, from $135,987 in 2014 to $316,578 in 2023.
Spending Breakdown
How Making Books Sing Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Books Sing Inc
Is Making Books Sing Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Making Books Sing Inc (EIN: 134201577) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Making Books Sing Inc a good charity to donate to?
Making Books Sing Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $336K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Making Books Sing Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Making Books Sing Inc is 134201577. 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 Books Sing Inc spend its money?
Making Books Sing Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Making Books Sing Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Making Books Sing Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134201577 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 Books Sing Inc. demonstrates consistent growth in revenue and expenses over the past decade, with revenue increasing from $611,721 in 2014 to $1,798,417 in 2023. The organization generally operates with expenses closely aligned to revenue, indicating a lean operational model. For example, in 2023, expenses were $1,910,310 against revenues of $1,798,417, resulting in a slight deficit for the year. This trend of near break-even operations is consistent across most years, suggesting careful financial management to match spending with available funds.
The organization's asset base has also shown growth, from $135,987 in 2014 to $316,578 in 2023, though liabilities have also fluctuated, sometimes exceeding assets (e.g., 2017, 2018). A notable strength is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. This practice significantly enhances the organization's perceived financial health and efficiency.
Overall, Making Books Sing Inc. appears to be a financially stable organization with a clear commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its growth, tight expense management, and excellent transparency regarding executive compensation. While some years show minor deficits, these are not substantial enough to raise significant concerns given the overall growth trajectory and asset accumulation.