Quick charity verification for Participatory Culture Foundation (EIN: 202630593)
Verdict: Participatory Culture Foundation appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$1.4MRevenue
$887KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $428,308 in 202212 and $72,918 in 202112).
Significant fluctuations in annual revenue, from $2.6M in 2020 to $1.4M in 2022, indicating potential instability in funding sources.
Historically high liabilities, often exceeding assets in earlier periods, though this trend has improved in the latest filing.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating a commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 periods), demonstrating transparency and regulatory compliance.
Improved asset-to-liability ratio in the latest filing, with assets ($887,241) now exceeding liabilities ($718,825).
Spending Breakdown
How Participatory Culture Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Participatory Culture Foundation
Is Participatory Culture Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Participatory Culture Foundation (EIN: 202630593) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Participatory Culture Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Participatory Culture Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $887K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Participatory Culture Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Participatory Culture Foundation is 202630593. 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 Participatory Culture Foundation spend its money?
Participatory Culture Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Participatory Culture Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Participatory Culture Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202630593 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
Participatory Culture Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating financial health over the past several years. In the latest filing (202212), the organization reported revenue of $1,420,885 against expenses of $1,849,193, indicating a deficit of over $400,000 for the period. This continues a trend from 202112 where expenses also exceeded revenue. However, prior years like 202012 showed a significant surplus, with revenue of $2,603,232 against expenses of $1,807,783. The organization's assets have also seen considerable fluctuation, from a high of $1,526,228 in 202012 to $887,241 in 202212, while liabilities have generally remained high, often exceeding assets in earlier periods, though they have decreased to $718,825 in the latest filing.
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this specific area, which is a positive indicator for spending efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a comprehensive assessment of overall spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods indicates a commitment to regulatory transparency, providing a historical record for analysis. The recent deficits warrant closer examination to understand their impact on long-term sustainability.