Quick charity verification for Niagara Power Coalition Inc (EIN: 161544640)
Verdict: Niagara Power Coalition Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$3.3MRevenue
$6.3MAssets
4Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year expense volatility, leading to large deficits in multiple periods (e.g., 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022).
Very high liabilities relative to total assets (e.g., 98% in 2023), indicating potential reliance on debt or restricted funds.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, which is unusual for an organization with over $3 million in annual revenue.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in provided data makes it difficult to assess program efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent annual revenue generation, averaging over $3 million.
Significant growth in total assets, reaching over $9.4 million in 2023.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating regulatory compliance.
Achieved a substantial surplus in the most recent filing (2023), with revenue exceeding expenses by over $1.9 million.
Spending Breakdown
How Niagara Power Coalition 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 Power Coalition Inc
Is Niagara Power Coalition Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Niagara Power Coalition Inc (EIN: 161544640) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Niagara Power Coalition Inc a good charity to donate to?
Niagara Power Coalition Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $3.3M. Assets: $6.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Niagara Power Coalition Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Niagara Power Coalition Inc is 161544640. 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 Power Coalition Inc spend its money?
Niagara Power Coalition Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Niagara Power Coalition Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Niagara Power Coalition Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161544640 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 Power Coalition Inc. demonstrates consistent revenue generation, averaging over $3 million annually, which is a significant strength. However, the organization's financial health shows volatility in expenses, with periods of substantial deficits, such as in 2014, 2015, and 2017, where expenses significantly exceeded revenue. While the most recent filing (2023) shows a healthy surplus of over $1.9 million, this follows a deficit of nearly $600,000 in 2022, indicating inconsistent financial management or project-based spending cycles. The organization's assets have grown considerably, reaching over $9.4 million in 2023, but a high proportion of these assets are offset by liabilities, suggesting a reliance on debt or specific project funding rather than accumulated reserves.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the significant fluctuations in total expenses relative to consistent revenue suggest that the organization may be undertaking large projects or capital expenditures in certain years. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other categories, which could impact transparency if not clearly disclosed elsewhere. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to regulatory transparency.
Overall, while the organization maintains a strong revenue base and has grown its asset base, the fluctuating expense patterns and high liabilities relative to assets warrant closer examination. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, as it's unusual for an organization of this size to have no compensated officers. Further detail on the nature of expenses and liabilities would provide a clearer picture of its operational efficiency and long-term financial sustainability.