Quick charity verification for Medford Lakes Colony (EIN: 210512290)
Verdict: Medford Lakes Colony appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.6MRevenue
$1.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided data
Unusually low (0%) officer compensation for an organization with over $1M in revenue, which might indicate alternative compensation structures or a fully volunteer-run leadership that could pose sustainability questions.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most years (e.g., $1,305,337 revenue vs. $1,213,414 expenses in 2023).
Strong and stable asset base, consistently above $4 million.
Significant reduction in liabilities over the decade, from $1,804,204 in 2014 to $731,171 in 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating potentially very low administrative overhead in this area.
Spending Breakdown
How Medford Lakes Colony allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Medford Lakes Colony
Is Medford Lakes Colony a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Medford Lakes Colony (EIN: 210512290) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Medford Lakes Colony a good charity to donate to?
Medford Lakes Colony has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.6M. Assets: $1.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Medford Lakes Colony?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Medford Lakes Colony is 210512290. 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 Medford Lakes Colony spend its money?
Medford Lakes Colony allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Medford Lakes Colony's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Medford Lakes Colony's tax-exempt status using EIN 210512290 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
Medford Lakes Colony demonstrates consistent financial stability with revenues generally exceeding expenses over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $1,305,337 against expenses of $1,213,414, indicating a surplus. The organization's assets have remained substantial, hovering around $4.3 million to $4.6 million in recent years, providing a strong financial cushion. Liabilities have shown a decreasing trend from $1,804,204 in 2014 to $731,171 in 2023, which is a positive indicator of improving financial health.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, the consistent surplus suggests effective management of resources relative to its operational scope. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing overhead in this area, which is a strong positive for efficiency.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. The lack of reported officer compensation is a transparent practice that can build trust. However, without specific NTEE codes or detailed program descriptions, it's difficult to fully assess the clarity of its mission and how effectively its financial activities align with stated goals. Further detail on the allocation of expenses would enhance transparency.