Is Operation Ukraine Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Operation Ukraine allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Ukraine

Is Operation Ukraine a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Operation Ukraine (EIN: 208219031) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Operation Ukraine a good charity to donate to?

Operation Ukraine has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $50K. Assets: $18K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Operation Ukraine?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Operation Ukraine is 208219031. 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 Ukraine spend its money?

Operation Ukraine allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Operation Ukraine's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Operation Ukraine's tax-exempt status using EIN 208219031 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 Ukraine, a small nonprofit based in Columbus, MS, exhibits fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization has maintained a consistent presence with 13 filings, its revenue and expenses have varied significantly, indicating potential instability in funding or program delivery. For instance, revenue dropped from $161,294 in 2022 to $56,265 in 2023, while expenses decreased from $217,451 to $70,603 in the same period. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, which are positive indicators of financial prudence and a volunteer-driven model. However, the consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., $70,603 expenses vs. $56,265 revenue in 2023; $217,451 expenses vs. $161,294 revenue in 2022) raises concerns about long-term sustainability and reliance on prior year assets or reserves.

The organization's assets have also shown considerable fluctuation, from a high of $75,570 in 2021 to a low of $5,075 in 2023, suggesting that assets are being drawn down to cover operational shortfalls. The lack of officer compensation indicates a high level of volunteer involvement, which can be efficient, but also means there's no paid leadership to hold accountable for financial performance. Given the small scale and the NTEE code S19 (International, Foreign Affairs), the organization's mission likely involves direct aid or support, which can be resource-intensive. The absence of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the overall revenue-expense comparison. However, the consistent reporting of zero liabilities is a strong positive for financial health.

Verdict: Operation Ukraine shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths