Quick charity verification for Nashville Sounds Foundation (EIN: 200896207)
Verdict: Nashville Sounds Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$120KRevenue
$104KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Inconsistent revenue generation, with significant drops in certain years (e.g., $20,434 in 2020).
Expenses exceeding revenue in multiple periods (e.g., 2023: expenses $133,284 vs. revenue $108,167; 2020: expenses $124,558 vs. revenue $20,434), which could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in directing funds to mission.
Generally low or zero liabilities, demonstrating strong financial management and solvency.
Positive asset growth in several periods, such as from $97,864 in 2020 to $114,616 in 2021 and $136,448 in 2022.
Strong program focus implied by the lack of executive compensation and low administrative overhead.
Spending Breakdown
How Nashville Sounds Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Nashville Sounds Foundation
Is Nashville Sounds Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Nashville Sounds Foundation (EIN: 200896207) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Nashville Sounds Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Nashville Sounds Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $120K. Assets: $104K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Nashville Sounds Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Nashville Sounds Foundation is 200896207. 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 Nashville Sounds Foundation spend its money?
Nashville Sounds Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Nashville Sounds Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Nashville Sounds Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200896207 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 Nashville Sounds Foundation demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across most years, indicating good fiscal management. For example, in 2023, assets were $111,331 with $0 liabilities. However, there have been periods of significant net losses, such as in 2023 where expenses ($133,284) exceeded revenue ($108,167), and notably in 2020 where expenses ($124,558) far outstripped revenue ($20,434). This suggests a reliance on prior year reserves or fluctuating fundraising success. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances public trust and suggests a volunteer-driven leadership model.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears to vary. While there are years of healthy surpluses (e.g., 2019 revenue of $157,223 against expenses of $62,804), the recent trend shows expenses sometimes exceeding revenue, which, if sustained, could impact long-term program delivery. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency, as it removes a common area of concern for donors. Overall, the organization appears to be managed with a focus on its mission, though careful monitoring of expense-to-revenue ratios in future periods would be prudent to ensure sustainable growth and program impact.