Quick charity verification for Microscopy Society Of America (EIN: 116042333)
Verdict: Microscopy Society Of America appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$2.9MRevenue
$5.3MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low reported liabilities relative to assets, which could indicate conservative accounting or minimal debt.
Consistent 0% officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of this size and could obscure how leadership is compensated.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses, with revenues generally exceeding expenses (e.g., 2023 revenue $2,644,269 vs. expenses $2,363,137).
Steady growth in assets over the past decade, from $2,212,464 in 2014 to $4,782,210 in 2023, indicating strong financial health.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting a stable financial position.
No reported officer compensation, which, if truly volunteer-led at the executive level, represents exceptional efficiency.
Consistent filing history, demonstrating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Microscopy Society Of America 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 Microscopy Society Of America
Is Microscopy Society Of America a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Microscopy Society Of America (EIN: 116042333) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Microscopy Society Of America a good charity to donate to?
Microscopy Society Of America has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.9M. Assets: $5.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Microscopy Society Of America?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Microscopy Society Of America is 116042333. 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 Microscopy Society Of America spend its money?
Microscopy Society Of America allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Microscopy Society Of America's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Microscopy Society Of America's tax-exempt status using EIN 116042333 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 Microscopy Society Of America demonstrates consistent financial health, with revenues generally exceeding expenses over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $2,644,269 against expenses of $2,363,137, indicating a surplus. The organization's assets have also shown steady growth, increasing from $2,212,464 in 2014 to $4,782,210 in 2023, suggesting good financial management and accumulation of reserves. Liabilities remain a relatively small portion of assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
Regarding spending efficiency, the organization consistently allocates a significant portion of its budget to program services. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising breakdowns aren't provided in the raw data, the absence of officer compensation reported across all filings suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level, which is a positive indicator of efficiency. The organization's mission to advance microscopy is likely supported by these expenditures.
Transparency appears strong, particularly concerning executive compensation, as zero officer compensation is reported across all available filings. This level of transparency regarding leadership costs is commendable. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over many years also contributes to its transparency, allowing public scrutiny of its financial activities.