Is Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc (EIN: 132851858)
Verdict: Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$8.7MRevenue
$6.4MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Slight deficit in the latest fiscal year (2023), with expenses exceeding revenue by $290,047.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $2.35 million in 2015 to $6.11 million in 2023.
Significant asset growth, increasing from $1.16 million in 2015 to $4.26 million in 2023.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong focus on mission-related spending.
Generally healthy financial management with expenses largely in line with or below revenue in most years.
Spending Breakdown
How Prisoners Legal Services Of New York 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 Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc
Is Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc (EIN: 132851858) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc a good charity to donate to?
Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $8.7M. Assets: $6.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc is 132851858. 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 Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc spend its money?
Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132851858 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
Prisoners Legal Services Of New York Inc demonstrates consistent financial growth and appears to be in a healthy financial position. Over the past several years, the organization has shown a steady increase in both revenue and assets, with revenue growing from $2,351,117 in 2015 to $6,113,343 in 2023. While expenses have also increased, they have generally remained in line with or slightly below revenue, indicating responsible financial management. For instance, in 2022, revenue was $6,548,920 against expenses of $6,128,940, resulting in a surplus. However, the latest filing for 2023 shows expenses ($6,403,390) slightly exceeding revenue ($6,113,343), which warrants monitoring but is not immediately concerning given the overall trend.
The organization's asset base has also grown significantly, from $1,165,718 in 2015 to $4,267,020 in 2023, suggesting a build-up of reserves and capacity. Liabilities have also increased but remain a manageable proportion of assets. A notable aspect of their financial reporting is the consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, which suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards their mission rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances their transparency and demonstrates a focus on program delivery.