Is Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (EIN: 201974197)
Verdict: Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$28KRevenue
$79KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant operating deficit in 2023 (Expenses $38,078 vs. Revenue $4,479)
Volatile revenue and expense patterns over the past several years
Decline in total assets from $138,781 in 2015 to $91,377 in 2023
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership
Minimal to no liabilities reported across all filing periods
Maintains a positive asset base despite financial fluctuations
Spending Breakdown
How Montana Restaurant Association Education 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 Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation
Is Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (EIN: 201974197) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $28K. Assets: $79K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation is 201974197. 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 Restaurant Association Education Foundation spend its money?
Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201974197 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 Montana Restaurant Association Education Foundation exhibits fluctuating financial health, with recent years showing significant swings in revenue and expenses. For instance, in 2023, the organization reported revenue of $4,479 against expenses of $38,078, indicating a substantial deficit. This contrasts sharply with 2022, where revenue of $40,203 significantly outpaced expenses of $8,983. The organization's assets have also seen a decline from a high of $138,781 in 2015 to $91,377 in 2023. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests good transparency regarding executive pay and a focus on minimizing administrative overhead in this area. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging beyond the executive compensation aspect. The organization consistently reports minimal to no liabilities, which is a positive indicator of financial stability.