Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union Legit?
Quick charity verification for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union (EIN: 131426674)
Verdict: Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$15.1MRevenue
$37.2MAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits, with expenses exceeding revenues in recent years (e.g., $17.16M expenses vs $13.82M revenue in 2023).
Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, raising questions about executive compensation transparency.
Declining asset base from a peak of $50.5M in 2021 to $36.06M in 2023, potentially due to operating deficits.
Strengths
Very low liabilities, consistently under $200,000 in recent years, indicating a strong balance sheet in terms of debt.
Significant asset base of $36.06 million in 2023, providing financial stability despite operating deficits.
Spending Breakdown
How Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union 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 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: 131426674) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union a good charity to donate to?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $15.1M. Assets: $37.2M. 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 131426674. 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 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% 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 131426674 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 (RWDSU) demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues generally in the $14-18 million range over the past decade, though a notable spike to $35 million occurred in 2015. The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenues in recent years, such as $17.16 million in expenses against $13.82 million in revenue in 2023, and $18.46 million in expenses against $14.10 million in revenue in 2022. This trend of operating deficits suggests the union may be drawing down reserves or relying on non-operating income to cover its costs.
Asset levels have fluctuated, peaking at over $50 million in 2021 before declining to $36.06 million in 2023. Liabilities remain very low, consistently under $200,000 in recent years, indicating a strong balance sheet in terms of debt. A significant aspect of their transparency is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that executive compensation may be reported differently or covered by a parent organization, or that officers are uncompensated.
Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. However, the consistent operating deficits warrant closer examination to understand their long-term financial sustainability strategy. The lack of reported officer compensation, while seemingly positive, could also be a transparency concern if compensation is indeed being paid but not disclosed in this section of the 990.