Quick charity verification for Rice Public Library (EIN: 10215686)
Verdict: Rice Public Library appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$46KRevenue
$341KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile revenue and expense patterns across years, making financial planning and stability uncertain.
Significant deficit in 2022 ($254,079) where expenses ($506,533) more than doubled revenue ($252,454).
Substantial decline in assets from a peak of $923,076 in 2019 to $318,828 in 2024.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), suggesting commitment to transparency.
Positive net assets maintained, even with fluctuations, indicating some financial reserves.
Spending Breakdown
How Rice Public Library allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Rice Public Library
Is Rice Public Library a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rice Public Library (EIN: 10215686) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Rice Public Library a good charity to donate to?
Rice Public Library has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $46K. Assets: $341K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Rice Public Library?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rice Public Library is 10215686. 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 Rice Public Library spend its money?
Rice Public Library allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Rice Public Library's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Rice Public Library's tax-exempt status using EIN 10215686 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
Rice Public Library demonstrates a mixed financial picture with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past several years. For instance, revenue dropped from $456,198 in 2021 to $99,166 in 2023, before rebounding to $61,495 in 2024. Similarly, expenses have varied wildly, from a high of $609,078 in 2018 to a low of $10,135 in 2024. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation directly to its mission. However, the substantial swings in financial activity, particularly the large deficit in 2022 where expenses ($506,533) significantly exceeded revenue ($252,454), warrant closer examination to understand the underlying operational stability and funding model. The organization's assets have also seen considerable fluctuation, peaking at $923,076 in 2019 and declining to $318,828 in 2024, suggesting potential asset utilization or divestment activities.
The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries, which is a positive aspect of its spending efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories in the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, but the dramatic financial shifts suggest a need for more detailed narrative explanations in their public disclosures to provide a clearer picture of their financial strategy and operational changes.