Quick charity verification for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation (EIN: 205012202)
Verdict: Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$4.7MRevenue
$5.9MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Negative revenue reported in 2022 (-$1,394,039), indicating significant financial challenges or unusual accounting events.
Expenses ($1,166,348) significantly exceeded revenue ($448,315) in 2023, suggesting reliance on reserves or other funding sources.
Significant decrease in assets from $9,308,691 in 2021 to $5,897,493 in 2023, warranting further investigation into the cause.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
Historically low liabilities, often $0 or $1, demonstrating strong financial management and minimal debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), indicating a commitment to transparency and compliance.
Maintains substantial assets ($5,897,493 in 2023) providing a strong financial cushion despite recent revenue fluctuations.
Spending Breakdown
How Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation 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 Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation
Is Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation (EIN: 205012202) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $4.7M. Assets: $5.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation is 205012202. 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 Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation spend its money?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205012202 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 Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its historical spending patterns. While the organization experienced a negative revenue in 2022 (-$1,394,039), this appears to be an anomaly, with most years showing positive revenue generation. The foundation's assets have fluctuated, peaking at $9,308,691 in 2021 and currently standing at $5,897,493 as of 2023. The organization maintains extremely low liabilities, often reporting $0 or $1, indicating strong financial stability and responsible management of debt.
Spending efficiency is generally strong, with expenses typically well-managed relative to revenue, although the 2023 period saw expenses ($1,166,348) significantly exceed revenue ($448,315). The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests that leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not captured in this specific line item, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to programs. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging.
Transparency appears high regarding executive compensation, as zero officer compensation is consistently reported. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade also indicates a commitment to public disclosure. However, the lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data limits a full transparency assessment regarding how funds are allocated across different operational areas.