Is Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc (EIN: 202305936)
Verdict: Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, raising questions about current operations.
Significant year-over-year fluctuations in revenue and expenses, indicating financial instability (e.g., $232,413 revenue in 2014 vs. $33,372 in 2015).
Expenses significantly exceeded revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2015: $202,274 expenses vs. $33,372 revenue; 2016: $31,807 expenses vs. $25,348 revenue).
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive pay from the organization.
Maintained low to zero liabilities across all reported periods, suggesting fiscal prudence regarding debt.
Demonstrated ability to generate substantial revenue in certain years (e.g., $232,413 in 2014).
Spending Breakdown
How Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc
Is Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc (EIN: 202305936) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc a good charity to donate to?
Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc is 202305936. 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 Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc spend its money?
Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202305936 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 Red Lodge Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc. exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past six years. While the organization reported zero revenue and assets in its latest filing, previous years show fluctuating financial activity. For instance, in 2014, it had a significant revenue of $232,413, exceeding expenses of $117,529, leading to asset growth. However, in 2015, expenses ($202,274) far outstripped revenue ($33,372), indicating a substantial deficit. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. The lack of liabilities across most filings suggests a fiscally conservative approach to debt.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the significant swings between revenue and expenses in different years suggest potential challenges in consistent financial management or reliance on sporadic large donations. The most recent filing showing zero revenue and assets is concerning and warrants further investigation into the organization's current operational status.
Transparency appears adequate in terms of filing IRS 990s, but the summary data lacks the granularity needed for a comprehensive spending efficiency analysis. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong point for transparency in executive pay. However, the dramatic drop to zero revenue and assets in the latest period raises questions about the organization's ongoing viability and operational transparency.