Quick charity verification for Mississippi Blues Foundation (EIN: 205453462)
Verdict: Mississippi Blues Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$39KRevenue
$177KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility over the past few years, from $108,970 in 2020 to $39,981 in 2023, which could impact long-term planning.
Expenses exceeded revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017), indicating reliance on prior year reserves or asset drawdowns.
Strengths
Consistent reporting with 11 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating strong transparency.
Zero liabilities reported across all available filings, indicating excellent financial management and no debt burden.
0% officer compensation reported consistently, suggesting a high dedication of funds to the mission rather than executive salaries.
Stable asset base, with assets consistently above $150,000 in recent years, providing a financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How Mississippi Blues Foundation 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 Mississippi Blues Foundation
Is Mississippi Blues Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mississippi Blues Foundation (EIN: 205453462) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Mississippi Blues Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Mississippi Blues Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $39K. Assets: $177K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Mississippi Blues Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mississippi Blues Foundation is 205453462. 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 Mississippi Blues Foundation spend its money?
Mississippi Blues Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Mississippi Blues Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Mississippi Blues Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205453462 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 Mississippi Blues Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to transparency, with 11 filings available, indicating regular reporting to the IRS. The organization's financial health shows some volatility in revenue, with a significant drop from $108,970 in 2020 to $39,981 in 2023. Despite this, assets have remained relatively stable, ranging from $125,711 in 2014 to $189,243 in 2023, with no reported liabilities across all periods, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and responsible management.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories from the provided data. However, the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting that resources are not being diverted to high executive salaries. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities is a significant positive, indicating the organization operates within its means and avoids debt.
Overall, the Mississippi Blues Foundation appears to be a transparent organization with a stable asset base and a commendable lack of liabilities. While revenue has fluctuated, the consistent reporting and absence of officer compensation suggest a focus on its mission. Further detailed expense breakdowns would be beneficial for a more precise assessment of spending efficiency.