Quick charity verification for Marion Fire Department (EIN: 20807366)
Verdict: Marion Fire Department appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$41KRevenue
$183KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, increasing from $77,144 in 2014 to $194,898 in 2023.
Zero officer compensation reported across all 12 filings, indicating high efficiency and volunteer leadership.
Strong balance sheet with consistently low or zero liabilities in most recent years.
Transparent financial reporting with a complete history of 12 IRS 990 filings.
Expenses generally managed well within revenue, contributing to financial stability.
Spending Breakdown
How Marion Fire Department allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Marion Fire Department
Is Marion Fire Department a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Marion Fire Department (EIN: 20807366) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Marion Fire Department a good charity to donate to?
Marion Fire Department has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $41K. Assets: $183K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Marion Fire Department?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Marion Fire Department is 20807366. 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 Fire Department spend its money?
Marion Fire Department allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Marion Fire Department's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Marion Fire Department's tax-exempt status using EIN 20807366 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 Fire Department demonstrates consistent financial stability, with assets steadily growing from $77,144 in 2014 to $194,898 in 2023. The organization consistently maintains zero liabilities in most recent years, indicating a strong balance sheet and responsible financial management. Their revenue has fluctuated over the years, peaking at $96,240 in 2021 and settling at $51,140 in 2023, but expenses have generally remained well within revenue limits, allowing for asset accumulation.
Spending efficiency appears high, as the organization reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that all operational funds are directed towards their mission without significant overhead for executive salaries. This commitment to volunteer leadership is a strong indicator of efficiency. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary, the absence of officer compensation implies a lean operational structure.
Transparency is good, with a consistent history of IRS 990 filings over 12 periods, providing a clear financial record. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation enhances trust and transparency regarding how funds are utilized. The organization's ability to maintain a healthy asset base with minimal liabilities further underscores its sound financial practices and commitment to its community service.