Quick charity verification for Metrum Institute (EIN: 203909780)
Verdict: Metrum Institute has notable concerns
10/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, indicating potential cessation of operations.
Consistent deficit spending over multiple years (e.g., 2015: $40,000 revenue vs. $123,770 expenses; 2014: $5,500 revenue vs. $89,113 expenses).
Significant decline in assets from $541,791 in 2011 to $0 in the latest period.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, suggesting volunteer leadership or a commitment to minimizing administrative costs related to salaries.
Spending Breakdown
How Metrum Institute allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
0%
Program Spending
Concerning — less than half to programs
0%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Metrum Institute
Is Metrum Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Metrum Institute (EIN: 203909780) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 10/100. 3 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is Metrum Institute a good charity to donate to?
Metrum Institute has a Mission Score of 10/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Metrum Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Metrum Institute is 203909780. 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 Metrum Institute spend its money?
Metrum Institute allocates 0% to programs, 0% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Metrum Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Metrum Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 203909780 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
Metrum Institute appears to be in a state of significant financial decline, as evidenced by its latest filing reporting $0 in both revenue and assets. This is a stark contrast to its earlier years, where it reported revenues as high as $238,424 in 2011 and assets over $500,000. The organization has consistently spent more than it brought in for most of the reported periods, with expenses exceeding revenue by a substantial margin in 2015 ($123,770 expenses vs. $40,000 revenue) and 2014 ($89,113 expenses vs. $5,500 revenue). This trend of deficit spending has likely contributed to the depletion of its assets over time.
The lack of reported revenue and assets in the most recent filing suggests the organization may be inactive or in the process of dissolution. Without detailed expense breakdowns, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency, but the overall financial trajectory indicates severe operational challenges. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive leadership, if any, was not drawing a salary, which could be a sign of volunteer-led efforts or a lack of funds for compensation.