Quick charity verification for Meriden Bird Club (EIN: 20452106)
Verdict: Meriden Bird Club appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$4KRevenue
$79KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Limited financial detail available due to 990-N e-Postcard filings
Strengths
Strong asset base relative to revenue ($78,698 assets vs. $4,274 latest revenue)
Consistent low expenses compared to revenue (e.g., $1,171 expenses on $3,533 revenue in 2023)
No officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all periods)
Consistent growth in assets over the past five years
Spending Breakdown
How Meriden Bird Club 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 Meriden Bird Club
Is Meriden Bird Club a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Meriden Bird Club (EIN: 20452106) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Meriden Bird Club a good charity to donate to?
Meriden Bird Club has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $4K. Assets: $79K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Meriden Bird Club?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Meriden Bird Club is 20452106. 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 Meriden Bird Club spend its money?
Meriden Bird Club allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Meriden Bird Club's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Meriden Bird Club's tax-exempt status using EIN 20452106 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 Meriden Bird Club demonstrates consistent financial stability with a healthy asset base relative to its modest revenue. With assets of $78,698 against latest revenue of $4,274, the organization maintains a strong reserve. The club's spending efficiency appears very high, as evidenced by its low expenses compared to revenue in recent years, such as $1,171 in expenses against $3,533 in revenue in 2023. This suggests a lean operational model, likely relying heavily on volunteer efforts given the absence of officer compensation. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) indicates basic compliance with transparency requirements for small nonprofits, though more detailed financial breakdowns are not publicly available through this form type.
Over the past five years, the club has generally operated with a surplus, contributing to its growing asset base, with the exception of 2019 where expenses ($22,641) exceeded revenue ($19,173). This single year's deficit, however, did not significantly impact its long-term financial health. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all filings suggests minimal debt and strong financial management. The lack of officer compensation further reinforces the impression of a volunteer-driven organization, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.
Overall, the Meriden Bird Club appears to be a financially sound and efficiently run small nonprofit. Its consistent asset growth and minimal expenses, coupled with no reported officer compensation, point to a well-managed organization focused on its mission. While the 990-N filings provide limited detail, the available data suggests a responsible approach to financial stewardship.