Is Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 200968414)
Verdict: Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$668KRevenue
$773KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $215,130 in 2014 to $572,273 in 2023.
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency.
Strong revenue growth over the decade, from $210,779 in 2014 to $281,582 in 2023.
Low and often negligible liabilities, demonstrating sound financial management.
Extensive filing history (14 filings) indicating strong transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation
Is Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 200968414) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $668K. Assets: $773K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation is 200968414. 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 Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation spend its money?
Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200968414 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 Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation demonstrates consistent financial growth and a strong commitment to its mission of providing athletic scholarships. Over the past decade, the organization has steadily increased its assets from $215,130 in 2014 to $572,273 in 2023, indicating sound financial management and accumulation of resources. Revenue has also shown a positive trend, with the latest reported revenue at $281,582 in 2023, up from $210,779 in 2014. The foundation consistently operates with expenses generally below or close to its revenue, ensuring sustainability.
The organization exhibits excellent spending efficiency, as evidenced by its consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that a very high proportion of funds are directed towards program services rather than administrative overhead or executive salaries. While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided summary, the absence of officer compensation is a strong indicator of efficient resource allocation. The foundation's liabilities have remained very low, often negligible, further highlighting prudent financial practices.
In terms of transparency, the organization has a robust filing history with 14 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating consistent compliance and public disclosure of its financial activities. The consistent growth in assets and revenue, coupled with minimal liabilities and zero officer compensation, paints a picture of a well-managed and transparent organization focused on its charitable purpose. The foundation appears to be a financially healthy and responsible steward of donor funds.