Quick charity verification for National Multiple Sclerosis Society (EIN: 135661935)
Verdict: National Multiple Sclerosis Society shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$213.1MRevenue
$201.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of 'Officer Comp=0%' on 990s, which is unusual for a large nonprofit and may obscure executive compensation details.
Significant deficit in the latest fiscal period (202309), with expenses exceeding revenue by over $23 million.
Fluctuating revenue trends, with a notable drop from $196 million in 2019 to $149 million in 2023.
Strengths
Maintains substantial assets, with $184,229,514 in 2023, providing financial stability.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating consistent compliance.
Demonstrated ability to manage significant financial operations over many years.
Spending Breakdown
How National Multiple Sclerosis Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Multiple Sclerosis Society
Is National Multiple Sclerosis Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (EIN: 135661935) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is National Multiple Sclerosis Society a good charity to donate to?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $213.1M. Assets: $201.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for National Multiple Sclerosis Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for National Multiple Sclerosis Society is 135661935. 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 Multiple Sclerosis Society spend its money?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify National Multiple Sclerosis Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify National Multiple Sclerosis Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 135661935 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 Multiple Sclerosis Society demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across its filing history. While revenue has fluctuated, ranging from a low of $108 million in 2016 to a high of $196 million in 2019, the organization has maintained substantial assets, reaching $201 million in 2021. The most recent filing (202309) shows expenses exceeding revenue by over $23 million ($172,885,857 vs $149,451,246), indicating a deficit for that period, which warrants closer examination. However, the organization's overall asset base of $184 million in 2023 suggests it has reserves to manage such fluctuations.
Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. Without detailed functional expense breakdowns from the provided data, it's challenging to precisely assess program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs. The consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings is unusual and suggests that executive compensation might be reported differently or is not directly paid to officers in a way that triggers this specific line item on the 990, which could be a point of inquiry for transparency. The organization's ability to maintain significant assets while experiencing periods of deficit spending, such as in 2023, indicates a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability.
Transparency regarding executive compensation is a notable area for potential improvement, given the consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' reported on the 990s despite the organization's size and complexity. While this might be due to specific reporting methods, it can create ambiguity for stakeholders. Further detailed functional expense reporting would enhance understanding of how funds are allocated across programs, administration, and fundraising, thereby improving overall financial transparency.