Is Radio Milwaukee Inc Legit?

Red Flags

Significant operational deficit in the most recent filing (202312) where expenses ($4,489,785) substantially exceeded revenue ($3,240,407).
Recurring operational deficits in multiple years (202312, 202212, 201912) indicate potential challenges in consistent financial sustainability.
Unusually consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure how executive leadership is compensated or indicate a reliance on volunteer leadership at a large scale.

Strengths

Strong asset base ($3,988,619 in 202312) provides financial stability and a buffer against operational shortfalls.
Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $268,357 liabilities vs. $3,988,619 assets in 202312) indicates strong financial solvency.
History of generally stable operations with revenues often exceeding or closely matching expenses in many periods.

Spending Breakdown

How Radio Milwaukee Inc 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 Radio Milwaukee Inc

Is Radio Milwaukee Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Radio Milwaukee Inc (EIN: 201257939) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Radio Milwaukee Inc a good charity to donate to?

Radio Milwaukee Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $5.1M. Assets: $4.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Radio Milwaukee Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Radio Milwaukee Inc is 201257939. 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 Radio Milwaukee Inc spend its money?

Radio Milwaukee Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Radio Milwaukee Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Radio Milwaukee Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201257939 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

Radio Milwaukee Inc has demonstrated a consistent operational history with revenues generally exceeding or closely matching expenses in most years, indicating a stable financial foundation. However, the most recent filing (202312) shows expenses of $4,489,785 significantly outpacing revenue of $3,240,407, resulting in a deficit. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue was also observed in 202212 and 201912, suggesting potential challenges in maintaining financial equilibrium in certain periods. Despite these fluctuations, the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $3,988,619 in 202312, which provides a buffer against operational shortfalls.

The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly with the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which is a strong positive for public trust. The NTEE code A34 (Radio, Television, and Publishing) aligns with their mission, and the consistent filing of 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure. While the recent deficit warrants attention, the overall financial health appears resilient due to strong asset backing and a history of responsible management.

Spending efficiency cannot be fully assessed without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operational expenses relative to revenue suggest a generally managed cost structure. The significant asset base relative to liabilities (e.g., $3,988,619 assets vs. $268,357 liabilities in 202312) indicates strong financial solvency. The organization's ability to operate for over a decade with varying revenue streams and maintain a healthy asset base points to effective financial stewardship, even with periodic operational deficits.

Verdict: Radio Milwaukee Inc appears trustworthy