Is Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr Legit?
Quick charity verification for Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr (EIN: 200784171)
Verdict: Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$148KRevenue
$171KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses occasionally exceed revenue, though this is common for endowed funds and assets remain stable.
Strengths
Consistently 0% officer compensation, ensuring funds go directly to programs.
Stable asset base over a decade, demonstrating sound financial management.
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings), indicating strong financial health.
Clear alignment between NTEE code (T20 - Scholarship & Student Aid) and organizational name/mission.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr
Is Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr (EIN: 200784171) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr a good charity to donate to?
Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $148K. Assets: $171K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr is 200784171. 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 Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr spend its money?
Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr's tax-exempt status using EIN 200784171 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
The Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Tr appears to be a small, well-managed scholarship fund with a consistent financial history. Over the past decade, its assets have remained relatively stable, hovering around $170,000 to $190,000, indicating prudent stewardship of its endowment. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities, typically $1, which suggests strong financial health and no significant debt burden. While revenue and expenses fluctuate year-to-year, the overall trend shows a commitment to its mission, with expenses generally aligning with or slightly exceeding revenue in some periods, which is common for endowed funds distributing scholarships.
The organization demonstrates excellent spending efficiency, as evidenced by its 0% officer compensation across all reported periods. This indicates that all available funds are directed towards its programmatic goals, primarily scholarships, rather than administrative overhead for executive salaries. Its transparency is high, with consistent IRS 990 filings showing clear financial statements and no apparent red flags regarding financial reporting. The NTEE code T20 (Scholarship & Student Aid) aligns perfectly with its name and implied mission, further reinforcing its focus.