Is National Federation Of The Blind Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for National Federation Of The Blind Inc (EIN: 20259978)

Verdict: National Federation Of The Blind Inc appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$28.1MRevenue

$35.7MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Occasional operating deficits, such as in 2023 ($1,994,451) and 2014 (over $8 million), where expenses exceeded revenue.
Variability in reported revenue, with the latest revenue of $28,066,862 differing significantly from the 202312 filing's $17,550,174, which could indicate inconsistent reporting periods or significant fluctuations in funding.

Strengths

Strong asset base, consistently exceeding liabilities (e.g., $32,745,221 assets vs. $1,403,082 liabilities in 2023).
Consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation, indicating a commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting transparency and consistent reporting practices.
Generally stable revenue streams over the past decade, typically around $19-21 million annually, providing a predictable financial foundation.

Spending Breakdown

How National Federation Of The Blind Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 National Federation Of The Blind Inc

Is National Federation Of The Blind Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, National Federation Of The Blind Inc (EIN: 20259978) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is National Federation Of The Blind Inc a good charity to donate to?

National Federation Of The Blind Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $28.1M. Assets: $35.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for National Federation Of The Blind Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for National Federation Of The Blind Inc is 20259978. 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 National Federation Of The Blind Inc spend its money?

National Federation Of The Blind Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify National Federation Of The Blind Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify National Federation Of The Blind Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 20259978 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 National Federation Of The Blind Inc demonstrates generally stable financial health over the past decade, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities. For instance, in 2023, assets were $32,745,221 against liabilities of $1,403,082, indicating a strong financial position. However, the organization experienced a deficit in 2023, with expenses ($19,544,625) exceeding revenue ($17,550,174), a trend also observed in 2017 and significantly in 2014. This suggests a need for careful monitoring of expenditure relative to income.

Regarding spending efficiency, without detailed expense breakdowns from the provided data, it's challenging to precisely assess program versus administrative costs. However, the consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is highly commendable. This practice suggests that the organization's leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' in these specific filings, warranting further investigation for a complete picture.

Overall, the organization appears transparent in its executive compensation reporting and maintains a healthy asset base. The occasional deficits, such as the $1,994,451 deficit in 2023, highlight periods where expenses outpaced revenue, which could impact long-term sustainability if not managed effectively. The substantial revenue of $28,066,862 in the latest period, compared to the $17,550,174 reported in the 202312 filing, suggests potential variability in funding sources or reporting periods that would benefit from clarification for a full financial understanding.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.