Quick charity verification for Northern Susitna Institute (EIN: 204297821)
Verdict: Northern Susitna Institute shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$35KRevenue
$336KAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and consistent decline in revenue from $482,603 in 201406 to $35,006 in 201906.
Operational deficits in multiple recent years (201906, 201806, 201606, 201506), indicating expenses frequently exceed revenue.
Reliance on existing assets to cover deficits, which is not a sustainable long-term financial strategy.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
No reported liabilities in the latest filing (201906), suggesting good debt management.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating transparency.
Maintains a healthy asset base relative to its current revenue, providing some financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How Northern Susitna Institute 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 Northern Susitna Institute
Is Northern Susitna Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Northern Susitna Institute (EIN: 204297821) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Northern Susitna Institute a good charity to donate to?
Northern Susitna Institute has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $35K. Assets: $336K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Northern Susitna Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Northern Susitna Institute is 204297821. 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 Susitna Institute spend its money?
Northern Susitna Institute allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Northern Susitna Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Northern Susitna Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 204297821 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
Northern Susitna Institute appears to be a small organization with fluctuating financial performance. In the latest filing (201906), the organization reported revenue of $35,006 against expenses of $40,279, indicating a deficit for the period. This continues a trend of expenses exceeding revenue in several recent years (201806, 201606, 201506). While the organization maintains a healthy asset base of $336,441 with no reported liabilities in 201906, the consistent operational deficits suggest a need for more stable funding or expenditure control to ensure long-term sustainability. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods is a positive indicator of resource allocation towards the mission rather than executive pay.
The organization's financial health shows a significant decline in revenue from a peak of $482,603 in 201406 to $35,006 in 201906. This substantial drop in funding, coupled with ongoing expenses, raises concerns about its ability to maintain programs at previous levels. The lack of liabilities in the latest filing is a strength, but the overall trend of decreasing revenue and operational deficits needs to be addressed. Transparency is good given the consistent filing of 990s and the clear reporting of zero officer compensation.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent operational deficits suggest that current revenue streams are not sufficient to cover expenses, which could impact program delivery. The organization's ability to operate without executive compensation is commendable and suggests a lean operational structure, but the overall financial trend warrants close monitoring.