Quick charity verification for Operation One (EIN: 204145965)
Verdict: Operation One appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$726KRevenue
$274KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses ($834,369) exceeded revenue ($719,154) in the most recent filing (202212), leading to a deficit.
Liabilities increased significantly from $4,996 in 201812 to $62,403 in 202212, though they were higher in 202012 and 202112.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 12 available filings, indicating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay.
Long operational history with 12 consistent IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency and stability.
Assets have grown significantly over the long term, from $87,671 in 201312 to $267,600 in 202212, indicating asset accumulation.
Spending Breakdown
How Operation One 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 Operation One
Is Operation One a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Operation One (EIN: 204145965) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Operation One a good charity to donate to?
Operation One has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $726K. Assets: $274K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Operation One?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Operation One is 204145965. 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 Operation One spend its money?
Operation One allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Operation One's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Operation One's tax-exempt status using EIN 204145965 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
Operation One demonstrates a consistent operational history with revenues generally in the $700,000 to $900,000 range over the past several years. The organization's financial health appears stable, though the most recent filing (202212) shows expenses ($834,369) exceeding revenue ($719,154), resulting in a deficit for that period. This contrasts with prior years like 202112 and 202012 where revenues exceeded expenses, indicating a potential shift in financial performance or a strategic investment year.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. This is a significant positive indicator for donor confidence and operational efficiency.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods. The absence of officer compensation is a key transparency point. To further enhance transparency, a detailed breakdown of functional expenses would be beneficial for stakeholders to understand how the $834,369 in expenses (202212) is allocated across programs, administration, and fundraising.