Quick charity verification for Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc (EIN: 202158950)
Verdict: Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$20KRevenue
$10KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Highly inconsistent revenue generation over the years, making financial planning challenging.
Significant decline in assets from $405,360 in 2015 to $31,658 in 2023 without clear explanation in filings.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, ensuring funds are not diverted to executive salaries.
No reported liabilities across all nine filings, indicating strong financial solvency.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Muscle Shoals Music Association 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 Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc
Is Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc (EIN: 202158950) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc a good charity to donate to?
Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $20K. Assets: $10K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc is 202158950. 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 Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc spend its money?
Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202158950 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 Muscle Shoals Music Association Inc. demonstrates a mixed financial picture over its filing history. While the organization reported significant revenue in 2015 ($750,420), its financial activity has been highly variable, with several years showing minimal revenue (e.g., $0 in 2019, $244 in 2017). The latest filing for 2023 shows revenue of $43,437 against expenses of $40,683, indicating a relatively balanced budget for that period. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and no officer compensation, which are positive indicators for financial stability and resource allocation directly to its mission.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total figures. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation suggests that a high percentage of funds, once received, are likely directed towards program activities or operational costs rather than executive salaries. The organization's assets have fluctuated, peaking at $405,360 in 2015 and currently standing at $31,658 in 2023, reflecting the variability in its financial inflows.
Transparency appears to be good, as the organization consistently files its IRS Form 990s, making its financial data publicly available. The absence of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency regarding executive pay. However, the significant swings in revenue and expenses over the years suggest a need for more consistent fundraising or program development to ensure long-term financial predictability and impact.