Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union Legit?

Quick charity verification for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union (EIN: 135591972)

Verdict: Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union shows mixed signals

65/100Mission Score

$1.8MRevenue

$2.2MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits in multiple years (e.g., 202312, 202112, 201812), where expenses exceeded revenue.
Gradual decline in total assets over the past decade, from $3,130,746 in 201512 to $2,220,625 in 202312.
Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure actual leadership compensation.

Strengths

Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good compliance and transparency.
Relatively stable liabilities, suggesting effective management of debt and obligations.
Long operational history with consistent revenue streams, demonstrating organizational resilience.

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: 135591972) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 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 65/100. Revenue: $1.8M. Assets: $2.2M. 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 135591972. 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 135591972 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 a consistent operational pattern over the past decade, with revenues and expenses generally fluctuating around the $1.5 million to $2 million mark. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported revenues of $1,636,913 against expenses of $1,736,338, indicating a slight operational deficit for that period. This trend of expenses occasionally exceeding revenue is visible in several past years, such as 202112 ($1,248,324 revenue vs. $1,504,757 expenses) and 201812 ($1,811,411 revenue vs. $1,886,835 expenses), suggesting that the union may draw on its assets or reserves during leaner periods. The organization's assets have shown a gradual decline from a high of $3,130,746 in 201512 to $2,220,625 in 202312, which warrants attention, although liabilities remain relatively low and stable, indicating good financial control in that area.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment is challenging. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing resources elsewhere. This suggests that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation for a complete picture. The overall financial health appears stable but with a trend of declining assets and occasional operational deficits, which could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed.

Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing history and the clear reporting of key financial metrics. The absence of officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, as it either indicates a highly volunteer-driven leadership or a different compensation structure that isn't immediately apparent from the summary data. Further details on functional expenses would enhance the ability to fully assess spending efficiency and program focus.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.