Quick charity verification for Peterborough Folk Music Society (EIN: 20486603)
Verdict: Peterborough Folk Music Society appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$85KRevenue
$53KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $25,325 in 2021 to $74,244 in 2023.
Zero liabilities reported across all available IRS 990 filings, indicating strong financial management.
Officer compensation consistently reported as 0%, suggesting a volunteer-driven model and high efficiency.
Steady asset accumulation, growing from $11,480 in 2011 to $52,674 currently.
Expenses consistently below revenue, allowing for healthy asset growth and sustainability.
Spending Breakdown
How Peterborough Folk Music Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Peterborough Folk Music Society
Is Peterborough Folk Music Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Peterborough Folk Music Society (EIN: 20486603) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Peterborough Folk Music Society a good charity to donate to?
Peterborough Folk Music Society has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $85K. Assets: $53K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Peterborough Folk Music Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Peterborough Folk Music Society is 20486603. 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 Peterborough Folk Music Society spend its money?
Peterborough Folk Music Society allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Peterborough Folk Music Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Peterborough Folk Music Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 20486603 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 Peterborough Folk Music Society demonstrates a consistent pattern of growth in revenue and assets over the past several years, indicating increasing community support and financial stability. For instance, revenue grew from $25,325 in 2021 to $74,244 in 2023, and assets increased from $22,688 to $47,221 in the same period. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities, which is a strong indicator of sound financial management and low financial risk. Their spending efficiency appears high, with expenses generally well below revenue, allowing for asset accumulation.
The organization's transparency is excellent, particularly given its small size. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with all officer compensation reported as 0%, suggests a volunteer-driven model and a focus on directing funds towards its mission. The absence of liabilities further simplifies their financial picture, making it easy for donors and the public to understand their financial position. This level of clarity, combined with healthy financial growth, paints a positive picture of the society's operational integrity and commitment to its mission.