Is North Carolina Center For Automotive…

Quick charity verification for North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc (EIN: 202981615)

Spending Breakdown

How North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc 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 North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc

Is North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc (EIN: 202981615) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc a good charity to donate to?

North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $716K. Assets: $7.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc is 202981615. 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 North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc spend its money?

North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202981615 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 North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc (NCCAR) exhibits a concerning financial trend, consistently operating at a significant deficit over the past decade. In the most recent filing (202312), expenses of $1,169,596 far outstripped revenue of $756,300, resulting in a deficit of over $400,000. This pattern is not new; for example, in 202212, expenses were $1,122,286 against revenue of $544,146. While the organization holds substantial assets, reported at $8,251,084 in 202312, these assets have been steadily declining from a high of $11,460,862 in 201412, suggesting that the deficits are being covered by drawing down reserves rather than sustainable operations. The organization's liabilities have also seen a notable increase in recent years, jumping from $100,476 in 202112 to $1,809,740 in 202312, which warrants further investigation into the nature of these obligations.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent and substantial operational deficits raise questions about the long-term viability and efficiency of its current financial model. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a potential strength in minimizing executive overhead, or it could suggest that key leadership roles are filled by volunteers or compensated through other means not captured in this specific line item. The organization's transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings, but the financial performance itself raises questions about its operational sustainability.

Is North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc Legit?

Verdict: North Carolina Center For Automotive Research Inc shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths