Is Mental Health Association In Essex County Legit?
Quick charity verification for Mental Health Association In Essex County (EIN: 141579531)
Verdict: Mental Health Association In Essex County appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$4.3MRevenue
$953KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data makes efficiency assessment difficult.
Expenses slightly exceeded revenue in 2023 ($3,397,628 vs $3,233,874), indicating tight operational margins.
Strengths
Consistent revenue and asset growth over the past decade, demonstrating increasing capacity and reach.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Healthy asset base ($1,185,013 in 2023) relative to liabilities ($891,436 in 2023), indicating financial solvency.
Long filing history (13 filings) indicates consistent compliance and operational longevity.
Spending Breakdown
How Mental Health Association In Essex County 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 Mental Health Association In Essex County
Is Mental Health Association In Essex County a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mental Health Association In Essex County (EIN: 141579531) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Mental Health Association In Essex County a good charity to donate to?
Mental Health Association In Essex County has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4.3M. Assets: $953K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Mental Health Association In Essex County?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mental Health Association In Essex County is 141579531. 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 Mental Health Association In Essex County spend its money?
Mental Health Association In Essex County allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Mental Health Association In Essex County's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Mental Health Association In Essex County's tax-exempt status using EIN 141579531 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 Mental Health Association In Essex County demonstrates a consistent pattern of growth in revenue and expenses over the past decade, with revenue increasing from $1,400,082 in 2014 to $3,233,874 in 2023. The organization generally operates with expenses closely matching or slightly exceeding revenue in recent years, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $3,397,628 against revenues of $3,233,874, indicating a tight operational margin. Asset growth has also been substantial, from $276,377 in 2014 to $1,185,013 in 2023, suggesting an increase in capacity or reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice, while unusual for an organization of its size, suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which could be a strength in terms of donor perception and resource allocation. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a full assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's financial health appears stable, with steady growth and a healthy asset base relative to its liabilities, which stood at $891,436 in 2023.