Substantial and stable asset base, consistently over $1 million for the past decade, providing financial resilience.
Significant reduction in liabilities over the past decade, from $362,745 in 2014 to $32,657 in 2023, demonstrating good debt management.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Portsmouth Historical Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Portsmouth Historical Society
Is Portsmouth Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Portsmouth Historical Society (EIN: 20240383) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Portsmouth Historical Society a good charity to donate to?
Portsmouth Historical Society has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $801K. Assets: $3.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Portsmouth Historical Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Portsmouth Historical Society is 20240383. 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 Portsmouth Historical Society spend its money?
Portsmouth Historical Society allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Portsmouth Historical Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Portsmouth Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 20240383 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 Portsmouth Historical Society demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has consistently reported assets over $1 million for the past decade, with a notable spike to $3.7 million in 2021, its recent financial performance shows some challenges. In both 2022 and 2023, expenses ($859,915 and $858,372 respectively) significantly outpaced revenue ($514,411 and $679,169), leading to net losses. This trend suggests a need for closer examination of revenue generation strategies or expense management.
The organization's transparency is commendable regarding executive compensation, as all filings indicate 0% officer compensation. This suggests that the top leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a full assessment of spending efficiency is difficult. The consistent reporting of assets and liabilities over many years indicates a stable, albeit recently challenged, financial foundation.
Despite recent operating deficits, the organization maintains substantial assets, with $3,237,999 reported in 2023. This asset base provides a buffer against short-term financial fluctuations. The significant revenue spike in 2021 to over $3 million, followed by a return to typical levels, suggests a potential one-time major gift or event that year. Understanding the nature of this spike and the subsequent return to lower revenue levels is crucial for a complete financial analysis.