Quick charity verification for Pathfinders (EIN: 201710899)
Verdict: Pathfinders appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$681KRevenue
$941KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate underreporting or a fully volunteer-led executive team, which might raise questions about long-term sustainability of leadership.
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth, from $245,438 in 2015 to $820,673 in 2023.
Strong financial stability with assets ($900,215 in 2023) far exceeding liabilities ($21,307 in 2023).
Positive net income in most recent years, indicating efficient management of expenses relative to revenue.
13 consistent IRS 990 filings, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Reported 0% officer compensation, suggesting a high proportion of funds are directed towards programs rather than executive salaries.
Spending Breakdown
How Pathfinders allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Pathfinders
Is Pathfinders a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Pathfinders (EIN: 201710899) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Pathfinders a good charity to donate to?
Pathfinders has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $681K. Assets: $941K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Pathfinders?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Pathfinders is 201710899. 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 Pathfinders spend its money?
Pathfinders allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Pathfinders's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Pathfinders's tax-exempt status using EIN 201710899 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
Pathfinders demonstrates a generally healthy financial trajectory, with consistent revenue growth over the past several years, culminating in $820,673 in revenue for the period ending 202312. The organization maintains a strong asset base, reaching $900,215 in 2023, significantly exceeding its liabilities of $21,307, indicating good financial stability. The consistent growth in assets alongside revenue suggests effective financial management and accumulation of resources to support its mission.
Spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent surplus of revenue over expenses in most recent years. For example, in 2023, expenses were $657,197 against $820,673 in revenue, allowing for reinvestment or reserve building. The organization's commitment to transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, and the reported 0% officer compensation across all periods, which suggests resources are directed towards programs rather than high executive salaries.
While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health and the absence of officer compensation are positive indicators. The organization's ability to grow its revenue and asset base while keeping liabilities low points to a well-managed and financially sound operation, capable of sustaining its activities in the long term.