Quick charity verification for Montana Fire Alliance Inc (EIN: 141899461)
Verdict: Montana Fire Alliance Inc shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, raising concerns about current operations.
Frequent deficit spending, where expenses exceed revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011).
Significant fluctuation in annual revenue, indicating an unstable funding base.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation across all filings demonstrates a volunteer-driven model and high efficiency in personnel costs.
Historically low liabilities ($0 across all filings) indicates responsible financial management regarding debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Montana Fire Alliance Inc 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 Montana Fire Alliance Inc
Is Montana Fire Alliance Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Montana Fire Alliance Inc (EIN: 141899461) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Montana Fire Alliance Inc a good charity to donate to?
Montana Fire Alliance Inc has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Montana Fire Alliance Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Montana Fire Alliance Inc is 141899461. 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 Montana Fire Alliance Inc spend its money?
Montana Fire Alliance Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Montana Fire Alliance Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Montana Fire Alliance Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 141899461 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
Montana Fire Alliance Inc. appears to be a very small, volunteer-run organization based on its financial filings. With zero revenue and assets in its latest filing, and historically modest revenues (peaking at $40,289 in 2012), its financial health is precarious. The organization frequently spends more than it earns, as seen in 2019 ($27,393 expenses vs. $18,441 revenue) and 2017 ($25,985 expenses vs. $13,014 revenue), indicating a reliance on prior year surpluses or fluctuating donations. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings suggests a high degree of volunteerism, which is a positive indicator of efficiency in terms of personnel costs.
However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging. Without knowing how expenses are categorized (program, administrative, fundraising), it's difficult to determine if funds are being allocated effectively towards its mission. The organization's transparency is good in terms of making its 990 filings available, but the overall financial picture suggests a very limited operational capacity. The latest filing showing $0 revenue and assets raises significant concerns about its current operational status and long-term sustainability.