Is Penfield Public Library Legit?

Quick charity verification for Penfield Public Library (EIN: 160818751)

Verdict: Penfield Public Library appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$0Revenue

$0Assets

1Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Lack of detailed officer compensation reporting on 990s, making it difficult to assess leadership costs.

Strengths

Consistent revenue and expense management, maintaining financial stability.
Growing asset base, increasing from $235,653 in 2011 to $307,554 in 2015.
Decreasing liabilities, from $73,408 in 2011 to $52,773 in 2015, indicating good debt management.
Strong program focus inherent in a public library's mission, with expenses closely matching revenue for operations.

Spending Breakdown

How Penfield Public Library 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 Penfield Public Library

Is Penfield Public Library a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Penfield Public Library (EIN: 160818751) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Penfield Public Library a good charity to donate to?

Penfield Public Library has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Penfield Public Library?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Penfield Public Library is 160818751. 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 Penfield Public Library spend its money?

Penfield Public Library allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Penfield Public Library's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Penfield Public Library's tax-exempt status using EIN 160818751 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 Penfield Public Library demonstrates consistent financial activity over the past five years, with revenues and expenses hovering around $1.7 million annually. For instance, in 2015, revenue was $1,827,624 against expenses of $1,749,887, indicating a slight surplus. The organization maintains a healthy asset base, growing from $235,653 in 2011 to $307,554 in 2015, while liabilities have generally decreased, suggesting good financial management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs if not further detailed.

Spending efficiency appears strong, as expenses are closely aligned with revenues, indicating that funds are being utilized for operations rather than accumulating excessive reserves or experiencing significant deficits. The lack of reported officer compensation directly on the 990s is a notable point for transparency, as it makes it difficult to assess the cost of executive leadership. However, for a public library, a significant portion of expenses would typically be allocated to program services (e.g., library materials, staff salaries for librarians, facility maintenance), which aligns with their mission. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise efficiency ratio cannot be calculated, but the overall financial picture suggests a stable and operational entity.

The organization's financial health appears stable, with consistent revenue streams and controlled expenses. The growth in assets and reduction in liabilities over the period reviewed are positive indicators. The absence of reported officer compensation on the 990s is a transparency aspect that could be improved by providing more detail on how leadership costs are accounted for, if applicable. Overall, the library appears to be a well-managed entity, effectively utilizing its resources to serve the community.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.