Quick charity verification for Minnesota Discovery Center (EIN: 202503955)
Verdict: Minnesota Discovery Center appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$4.1MRevenue
$15.0MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses slightly exceeded revenue in the most recent fiscal year (2023), resulting in a minor deficit of $245,702.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $11,400,808 in 2014 to $13,941,370 in 2023.
Consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong governance and resource allocation.
Low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating financial stability (e.g., $442,306 liabilities vs. $13,941,370 assets in 2023).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), indicating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Minnesota Discovery Center allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Minnesota Discovery Center
Is Minnesota Discovery Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Minnesota Discovery Center (EIN: 202503955) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Minnesota Discovery Center a good charity to donate to?
Minnesota Discovery Center has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4.1M. Assets: $15.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Minnesota Discovery Center?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Minnesota Discovery Center is 202503955. 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 Minnesota Discovery Center spend its money?
Minnesota Discovery Center allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Minnesota Discovery Center's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Minnesota Discovery Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 202503955 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 Minnesota Discovery Center demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues generally exceeding or closely matching expenses over the past decade. For instance, in fiscal year 2022, revenue was $2,992,585 against expenses of $2,591,549, indicating a surplus. However, the most recent filing (2023) shows expenses of $3,114,338 slightly exceeding revenue of $2,868,636, suggesting a minor deficit for that period. The organization's assets have shown steady growth, increasing from $11,400,808 in 2014 to $13,941,370 in 2023, indicating a healthy long-term financial position. Liabilities have remained relatively low compared to assets, further reinforcing financial stability.
The organization's transparency is strong, particularly regarding executive compensation, which is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings. This suggests that the organization's leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't explicitly provided in the summary data, the overall financial health appears stable, with a focus on maintaining assets and managing liabilities effectively. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods also points to good governance and adherence to reporting requirements.