Quick charity verification for Niagara Lutheran Development Inc (EIN: 161502150)
Verdict: Niagara Lutheran Development Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$25.1MRevenue
$25.5MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent fiscal period (202312), indicating a short-term operating deficit.
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation into executive pay practices.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $16.6M in 2014 to $24.9M in 2023.
Generally positive net income in most years, indicating sound financial management prior to the latest filing.
Healthy asset base ($27.2M in 2023) relative to liabilities ($9.2M in 2023), suggesting good long-term solvency.
Spending Breakdown
How Niagara Lutheran Development Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Lutheran Development Inc
Is Niagara Lutheran Development Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Niagara Lutheran Development Inc (EIN: 161502150) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Niagara Lutheran Development Inc a good charity to donate to?
Niagara Lutheran Development Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $25.1M. Assets: $25.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Niagara Lutheran Development Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Niagara Lutheran Development Inc is 161502150. 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 Lutheran Development Inc spend its money?
Niagara Lutheran Development Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Niagara Lutheran Development Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Niagara Lutheran Development Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161502150 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
Niagara Lutheran Development Inc. demonstrates a consistent operational history with revenues generally exceeding expenses, indicating a stable financial position over the past decade. For instance, in 2022, revenue was $22,246,380 against expenses of $22,151,578. However, the most recent filing (202312) shows expenses ($26,619,579) exceeding revenue ($24,938,836), resulting in a deficit for that period. This recent trend warrants closer monitoring to ensure it's an anomaly rather than a new pattern.
The organization's assets have shown growth, reaching $27,261,074 in 2023, while liabilities have fluctuated but remained manageable relative to assets. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests either that executive compensation is not reported in this section, or that the organization operates with a volunteer leadership structure, which would be a significant positive for efficiency. Further investigation into the detailed expense breakdown would be necessary to fully assess spending efficiency, particularly the allocation between program services, administrative costs, and fundraising expenses, as this data is not explicitly provided in the summary.