Is Pathstone Corporation Legit?

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth over a decade, indicating strong program demand and funding success.
Stable financial health with growing assets and manageable liabilities.
Efficient spending with expenses closely matching revenue, suggesting most funds are directly applied to operations.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating consistent compliance and reporting.

Spending Breakdown

How Pathstone Corporation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Pathstone Corporation

Is Pathstone Corporation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Pathstone Corporation (EIN: 160984913) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Pathstone Corporation a good charity to donate to?

Pathstone Corporation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $45.7M. Assets: $42.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Pathstone Corporation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Pathstone Corporation is 160984913. 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 Pathstone Corporation spend its money?

Pathstone Corporation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Pathstone Corporation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Pathstone Corporation's tax-exempt status using EIN 160984913 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

Pathstone Corporation demonstrates consistent financial growth and stability over the past decade, with revenue steadily increasing from $29.1 million in 2014 to $43.2 million in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a narrow surplus, indicating efficient management of resources without accumulating excessive reserves or incurring significant deficits. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $43,249,878 against expenses of $42,444,192, resulting in a surplus of less than 2%. This tight margin suggests that most funds are directly utilized for operations rather than being held in reserve.

Spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent ratio of expenses to revenue. The organization's assets have also grown, reaching $44,274,434 in 2023, while liabilities have also increased, though remaining manageable relative to assets. A notable aspect of Pathstone's financial reporting is the consistent declaration of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and revenue, potentially indicating a reporting anomaly or a unique compensation structure where officers are compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, or are volunteers. This lack of reported officer compensation raises questions regarding transparency in executive remuneration.

Overall, Pathstone appears financially sound with a history of responsible growth. However, the absence of reported officer compensation is a significant point of concern for transparency, as it makes it impossible to assess executive pay practices. Without this information, a full picture of the organization's financial health and governance cannot be accurately formed.

Verdict: Pathstone Corporation appears trustworthy

Red Flags