Quick charity verification for Options In Education Foundation Inc (EIN: 204996801)
Verdict: Options In Education Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$392KRevenue
$7.1MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and growing liabilities without clear explanation in summary data (e.g., $3.4M in 2023)
Highly fluctuating revenue and expense patterns, making consistent financial performance difficult to assess.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial transparency and dedication of resources to the mission.
Significant asset base ($7.1M in 2023) provides financial stability and potential for future program expansion.
Demonstrated ability to generate substantial revenue in certain periods (e.g., $2.1M in 2021).
Spending Breakdown
How Options In Education Foundation Inc 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 Options In Education Foundation Inc
Is Options In Education Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Options In Education Foundation Inc (EIN: 204996801) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Options In Education Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Options In Education Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $392K. Assets: $7.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Options In Education Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Options In Education Foundation Inc is 204996801. 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 Options In Education Foundation Inc spend its money?
Options In Education Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Options In Education Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Options In Education Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204996801 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
Options In Education Foundation Inc demonstrates a fluctuating financial history, with significant revenue spikes in 2020 and 2021, followed by a decline. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating strong transparency regarding executive pay and a commitment to directing funds elsewhere. However, the substantial liabilities reported in recent years (e.g., $3,441,392 in 2023) relative to assets ($7,227,870 in 2023) warrant closer examination to understand their nature and impact on long-term financial stability. The organization's program spending efficiency appears to vary, with expenses sometimes significantly lower than revenue, leading to asset accumulation, but also periods where expenses are a higher proportion of revenue. For instance, in 2021, revenue was $2,119,902 while expenses were only $59,180, suggesting a focus on asset growth or specific project funding rather than immediate program deployment.