Is Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc (EIN: 208809060)

Verdict: Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$1.2MRevenue

$608KAssets

2Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Unusually low operating margins (e.g., 1% in 2023) could limit financial resilience.
Significant increase in liabilities from $7,621 in 2016 to $229,009 in 2023 warrants further investigation.

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth from $664,702 in 2014 to $1,170,973 in 2023.
Steady asset growth, reaching $565,560 in 2023, indicating financial stability.
High program spending efficiency, with expenses closely tracking revenue, suggesting funds are actively deployed.
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, indicating transparency or a unique compensation structure.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) demonstrates commitment to compliance and transparency.

Spending Breakdown

How Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc 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 Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc

Is Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc (EIN: 208809060) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc a good charity to donate to?

Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.2M. Assets: $608K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc is 208809060. 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 Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc spend its money?

Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208809060 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 Platte Institute For Economic Research Inc demonstrates consistent financial growth, with revenue increasing from $664,702 in 2014 to $1,170,973 in 2023. The organization maintains a healthy financial position, with assets growing steadily over the decade, reaching $565,560 in 2023. Their liabilities have also seen an increase, reaching $229,009 in 2023, which warrants monitoring but does not appear to be a significant concern relative to asset growth. The organization consistently spends nearly all of its revenue each year, with expenses closely tracking revenue, indicating efficient use of funds rather than significant accumulation of reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field, which would require further investigation into their detailed expense breakdown.

While the overall financial health appears stable with consistent revenue and asset growth, the close proximity of expenses to revenue each year means the organization operates with relatively thin margins. For example, in 2023, expenses were $1,158,664 against revenues of $1,170,973, a margin of just over 1%. This operational model, while efficient in deploying funds, leaves less buffer for unexpected financial challenges or significant strategic investments without additional fundraising. The NTEE code V22 (Public Policy Research Organizations) suggests a focus on research and advocacy, and the consistent spending patterns align with an organization actively pursuing its mission rather than building large endowments.

Transparency is a notable strength, particularly with the explicit 0% officer compensation reported in the summary data, which is a clear indicator of either no compensation or a different reporting structure that would need deeper scrutiny of the full 990 forms. The consistent filing history over 13 periods further underscores a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure. Overall, the Platte Institute appears to be a financially stable and transparent organization, effectively utilizing its resources to achieve its mission, though its tight operating margins are a characteristic to note.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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