Quick charity verification for Poets & Writers Inc (EIN: 132682458)
Verdict: Poets & Writers Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$7.1MRevenue
$10.5MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low liabilities relative to assets, which could indicate conservative financial practices or specific funding structures.
The consistent 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization with multi-million dollar revenues and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
Consistent financial stability with revenues consistently above $4 million.
Strong asset growth, increasing from $7.8 million in 2014 to $10.9 million in 2023.
Remarkable 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting high efficiency or volunteer leadership.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a strong balance sheet.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods, demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Poets & Writers 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
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 Poets & Writers Inc
Is Poets & Writers Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Poets & Writers Inc (EIN: 132682458) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Poets & Writers Inc a good charity to donate to?
Poets & Writers Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $7.1M. Assets: $10.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Poets & Writers Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Poets & Writers Inc is 132682458. 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 Poets & Writers Inc spend its money?
Poets & Writers Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Poets & Writers Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Poets & Writers Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132682458 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
Poets & Writers Inc. demonstrates consistent financial health with stable revenues and assets over the past decade. In the 202306 period, the organization reported revenues of $4,485,046 against expenses of $4,537,942, indicating a slight operational deficit, which is not uncommon for nonprofits and is offset by substantial assets of $10,929,944. The organization's assets have shown steady growth, increasing from $7,874,220 in 201406 to over $10 million in 202306, suggesting sound financial management and accumulation of reserves.
Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a significant indicator of a volunteer-led or highly efficient executive structure. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial stability and lack of executive compensation suggest a focus on mission. The organization's NTEE code A76Z (Arts, Culture & Humanities, Literary Arts) aligns with its name, indicating a clear programmatic focus.
Transparency is bolstered by the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods and the explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation. This level of detail, combined with stable financial metrics, suggests a well-managed and accountable organization. The growth in assets and relatively low liabilities (e.g., $3,131,017 in 202306 compared to $10,929,944 in assets) further supports a positive assessment of its financial stewardship.