Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union Legit?
Quick charity verification for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union (EIN: 131215100)
Verdict: Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$11.6MRevenue
$25.6MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operational deficits (e.g., $1,451,158 deficit in 202312)
Consistent 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further scrutiny
NTEE code is unknown, limiting direct peer comparison for financial performance
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset base (over $25 million annually)
Relatively low liabilities compared to assets (e.g., $333,207 liabilities vs. $26,144,172 assets in 202312)
Consistent revenue generation over $9 million annually
Spending Breakdown
How Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union 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 Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union
Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union (EIN: 131215100) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union a good charity to donate to?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $11.6M. Assets: $25.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union is 131215100. 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 Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union spend its money?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's tax-exempt status using EIN 131215100 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 Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $9-12 million annually over the past decade. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported revenues of $9,652,032 against expenses of $11,103,190, indicating a deficit for that period. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue has been observed in several recent years (e.g., 202212, 201812, 201612), suggesting a need for careful financial management to maintain long-term sustainability, although assets remain robust at over $25 million. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a notable aspect of its financial structure and transparency regarding executive pay.
While the NTEE code is unknown, making a direct comparison to peer organizations challenging, the consistent asset base of over $25 million indicates a stable financial foundation. The liabilities have remained relatively low compared to assets, generally under $350,000, which is a positive indicator of financial health. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is limited. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests a commitment to minimizing top-level administrative costs, at least in terms of direct officer salaries.
Overall, the union appears financially stable with substantial assets, but the recurring operational deficits in recent years warrant attention. The lack of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and cost control at the executive level. A more detailed breakdown of expenses would further enhance the assessment of its spending efficiency and program focus.