Quick charity verification for Mercy International (EIN: 201280852)
Verdict: Mercy International appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.5MRevenue
$2.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue decline in the latest fiscal year (from $2.5M in 2022 to $724K in 2023).
Expenses ($1,291,579) significantly exceeded revenue ($724,054) in the latest fiscal year (2023), indicating a deficit.
Inconsistent financial performance with large swings in revenue and expenses year-over-year.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high dedication of resources to mission.
Strong asset growth over the long term, from $29,111 in 2011 to $2,346,559 in 2023.
Generally low liabilities, indicating sound debt management.
Spending Breakdown
How Mercy International 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 Mercy International
Is Mercy International a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mercy International (EIN: 201280852) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Mercy International a good charity to donate to?
Mercy International has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.5M. Assets: $2.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Mercy International?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mercy International is 201280852. 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 Mercy International spend its money?
Mercy International allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Mercy International's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Mercy International's tax-exempt status using EIN 201280852 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
Mercy International demonstrates fluctuating financial health over the past few years. While the organization reported a significant revenue of $2,503,568 in 2022, its latest filing (202312) shows a substantial decrease in revenue to $724,054 and expenses exceeding revenue at $1,291,579, resulting in a deficit. This recent trend of spending more than it earns, as also seen in 2023 and 2018, raises concerns about long-term sustainability if not addressed. However, the organization's assets have grown considerably from $29,111 in 2011 to $2,346,559 in 2023, indicating a strong build-up of resources over time.
The organization appears to have a strong program focus, as indicated by the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting that resources are directed towards its mission rather than executive salaries. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging beyond the overall revenue-to-expense ratio. Transparency regarding specific program, administrative, and fundraising costs would further enhance public trust and allow for a more granular analysis of its operational efficiency.