Quick charity verification for Park River Volunteer Fire Department (EIN: 201629131)
Verdict: Park River Volunteer Fire Department appears trustworthy
98/100Mission Score
$1.0MRevenue
$2.9MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent and significant asset growth (from $246,140 in 2014 to $2,617,306 in 2023).
0% officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership.
Expenses consistently well below revenue, allowing for strong financial reserves and asset accumulation.
No reported liabilities in recent years (2017-2023), indicating strong financial stability.
Strong program focus due to minimal administrative and fundraising overhead implied by 0% officer compensation and expense ratios.
Spending Breakdown
How Park River Volunteer Fire Department 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 Park River Volunteer Fire Department
Is Park River Volunteer Fire Department a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Park River Volunteer Fire Department (EIN: 201629131) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 98/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Park River Volunteer Fire Department a good charity to donate to?
Park River Volunteer Fire Department has a Mission Score of 98/100. Revenue: $1.0M. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Park River Volunteer Fire Department?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Park River Volunteer Fire Department is 201629131. 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 Park River Volunteer Fire Department spend its money?
Park River Volunteer Fire Department allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Park River Volunteer Fire Department's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Park River Volunteer Fire Department's tax-exempt status using EIN 201629131 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 Park River Volunteer Fire Department demonstrates strong financial health and efficient spending, particularly given its mission as a volunteer fire department. Over the past decade, the organization has consistently grown its assets, from $246,140 in 2014 to $2,617,306 in 2023, indicating effective asset management and potentially successful fundraising or grant acquisition. Their revenue has also shown significant growth, with the latest reported revenue at $578,904 in 2023, and a peak of $906,191 in 2021.
The department's spending efficiency is commendable, with expenses consistently well below revenue, allowing for substantial asset accumulation. For example, in 2023, expenses were $253,659 against $578,904 in revenue. The organization reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of their volunteer-driven model and commitment to directing resources towards their mission. This lack of paid executive compensation inherently boosts their program spending efficiency and transparency.
Overall, the Park River Volunteer Fire Department appears to be a well-managed and financially sound organization. Their consistent asset growth, low expense ratios relative to revenue, and complete reliance on volunteer leadership for executive functions highlight a strong commitment to their community service mission and responsible stewardship of funds. The absence of reported liabilities in recent years further underscores their financial stability.