Is Marion Cultural Development Corporation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Marion Cultural Development Corporation (EIN: 200954670)

Verdict: Marion Cultural Development Corporation shows mixed signals

60/100Mission Score

$56KRevenue

$4KAssets

4Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Inconsistent and volatile revenue streams, with a major spike in 202106 followed by sharp declines.
Expenses frequently exceed revenue in recent periods (e.g., 202406, 202306), leading to asset depletion.
Low and declining asset base ($4,433 in 202406) indicates limited financial reserves.
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is unusual and may warrant further investigation into how leadership is compensated or if it's an all-volunteer organization.

Strengths

Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms demonstrates transparency and compliance.
Consistently reports $0 in liabilities, indicating responsible debt management.
Zero officer compensation suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries.

Spending Breakdown

How Marion Cultural Development Corporation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Marion Cultural Development Corporation

Is Marion Cultural Development Corporation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Marion Cultural Development Corporation (EIN: 200954670) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Marion Cultural Development Corporation a good charity to donate to?

Marion Cultural Development Corporation has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $56K. Assets: $4K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Marion Cultural Development Corporation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Marion Cultural Development Corporation is 200954670. 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 Marion Cultural Development Corporation spend its money?

Marion Cultural Development Corporation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Marion Cultural Development Corporation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Marion Cultural Development Corporation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200954670 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 Marion Cultural Development Corporation exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past several years, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses. For instance, revenue spiked to $883,331 in 202106, only to drop sharply to $57,356 in 202206 and $42,585 in 202406. This volatility makes it challenging to assess long-term financial stability. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, which suggests a lean operational structure and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the low asset base, currently at $4,433, indicates limited financial reserves to weather future downturns or fund significant new initiatives.

Spending efficiency is difficult to precisely determine without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds at the leadership level. The organization's expenses have frequently exceeded its revenue in recent periods, such as in 202406 (Expenses $47,060 vs. Revenue $42,585) and 202306 (Expenses $83,594 vs. Revenue $58,142), leading to a depletion of assets. This trend raises concerns about the sustainability of its operations without a more stable funding model.

In terms of transparency, the organization has a robust filing history with 14 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating a commitment to public disclosure. The consistent reporting of key financial metrics, including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and officer compensation, provides a clear, albeit sometimes concerning, picture of its financial activities. The absence of liabilities is also a positive sign of responsible financial management. However, the lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided summary limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated across programs, administration, and fundraising.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.