Quick charity verification for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc (EIN: 161448764)
Verdict: Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$8.4MRevenue
$17.5MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue by nearly $900,000 in the most recent 202309 filing period, indicating a potential operating deficit.
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings for an organization of this size and asset base is highly unusual and warrants further scrutiny to understand how leadership is compensated or if this reflects a specific operational model.
Strengths
Significant asset growth from $3.56 million in 2014 to $17.55 million currently, demonstrating strong financial accumulation.
Consistent revenue growth over the long term, with latest revenue at $8.43 million, indicating increasing public support or operational success.
Low reported liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities at $1,199,683 against assets of $12,245,295 in 202309, suggesting good financial management and solvency.
Spending Breakdown
How Niagara Aquarium Foundation 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 Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc
Is Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc (EIN: 161448764) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $8.4M. Assets: $17.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is 161448764. 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 Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc spend its money?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161448764 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 Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial trajectory, with assets growing significantly from $3.56 million in 2014 to $17.55 million currently. Revenue has also seen substantial growth, peaking at $8.43 million in the latest period, though the most recent filed period (202309) shows a temporary dip in revenue to $3.87 million and expenses exceeding revenue by nearly $900,000. This recent deficit warrants closer examination to understand if it's an anomaly or a new trend.
The organization appears to prioritize its mission, as indicated by the consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, suggesting that executive salaries are not a significant drain on resources. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The substantial growth in assets over the decade, alongside fluctuating but generally increasing revenues, suggests a capacity for long-term sustainability, provided the recent expense-to-revenue imbalance is addressed.
Transparency is good regarding executive compensation, with no reported officer compensation. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a full assessment of spending efficiency across program, administrative, and fundraising categories. Further detail on these allocations would enhance understanding of how effectively funds are being utilized to achieve their mission.