Is Nights Shield Legit?

Quick charity verification for Nights Shield (EIN: 204615896)

Verdict: Nights Shield shows mixed signals

55/100Mission Score
$682KRevenue
$861KAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Nights Shield 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 Nights Shield

Is Nights Shield a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Nights Shield (EIN: 204615896) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Nights Shield a good charity to donate to?

Nights Shield has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $682K. Assets: $861K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Nights Shield?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Nights Shield is 204615896. 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 Nights Shield spend its money?

Nights Shield allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Nights Shield's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Nights Shield's tax-exempt status using EIN 204615896 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

Nights Shield demonstrates a concerning trend of operating deficits over several years, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $751,992 against revenues of $727,426, and in 2022, expenses were $672,912 compared to $519,817 in revenue. This consistent spending beyond income has led to a significant decline in assets, from a peak of $2,061,975 in 2017 to $983,016 in 2023. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive for transparency and resource allocation, the overall financial sustainability is questionable given the persistent deficits and shrinking asset base. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line figures. The organization's financial health appears to be deteriorating, with a substantial reduction in assets over the past several years. The consistent negative net income, such as the -$24,566 in 2023 and -$153,095 in 2022, indicates that the organization is drawing down its reserves or incurring liabilities to cover operational costs. While the liabilities remain relatively low compared to assets, the trend of declining assets suggests a need for a strategic financial review to ensure long-term viability. The absence of officer compensation is a strong point for donor confidence regarding executive pay. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to precisely evaluate spending efficiency. However, the consistent operational losses suggest that the current revenue streams are insufficient to cover the organization's activities. The significant drop in revenue from over $1 million in earlier years (e.g., $1,174,801 in 2016) to $727,426 in 2023, coupled with relatively stable or increasing expenses in some periods, points to a potential mismatch between fundraising efforts and operational needs. The organization's transparency regarding executive compensation is commendable, but more detailed financial reporting would enhance overall transparency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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

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