Quick charity verification for River Falls Community Food Pantry (EIN: 204740792)
Verdict: River Falls Community Food Pantry appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$478KRevenue
$765KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the latest two periods (202406 and 202306), indicating potential reliance on reserves or unsustainable spending without increased funding.
A notable decrease in assets from $1,183,866 in 202106 to $764,849 in 202406, which could be linked to covering operating deficits.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings, demonstrating a strong commitment to directing funds to programs.
Low liabilities ($8,835 in 202406) indicating sound financial management and minimal debt.
Long operational history with 13 IRS 990 filings, suggesting stability and established community presence.
Clear mission focus as a food pantry (NTEE K31).
Spending Breakdown
How River Falls Community Food Pantry allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 River Falls Community Food Pantry
Is River Falls Community Food Pantry a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, River Falls Community Food Pantry (EIN: 204740792) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is River Falls Community Food Pantry a good charity to donate to?
River Falls Community Food Pantry has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $478K. Assets: $765K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for River Falls Community Food Pantry?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for River Falls Community Food Pantry is 204740792. 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 River Falls Community Food Pantry spend its money?
River Falls Community Food Pantry allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify River Falls Community Food Pantry's tax-exempt status?
You can verify River Falls Community Food Pantry's tax-exempt status using EIN 204740792 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 River Falls Community Food Pantry demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission of providing food assistance, as evidenced by its NTEE code K31 (Food Banks & Pantries). The organization has a long filing history with 13 IRS 990 filings, indicating a stable operational presence. In the latest period (202406), the pantry reported revenues of $477,502 against expenses of $558,400, resulting in a deficit for the year. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue has been observed in several recent periods, including 202306 ($406,449 revenue vs. $467,106 expenses) and 201706 ($266,931 revenue vs. $274,846 expenses). While this can indicate a reliance on prior year reserves or specific grant funding, it warrants closer examination of their funding model and sustainability.
The organization's assets have fluctuated, peaking at $1,183,866 in 202106 and decreasing to $764,849 in 202406. Liabilities remain low, at $8,835 in 202406, suggesting good financial management in terms of debt. A significant positive aspect is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which strongly indicates that resources are directed towards programs rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances the organization's transparency and efficiency from a donor's perspective.
Overall, the River Falls Community Food Pantry appears to be a lean operation focused on its core mission. While the recent operating deficits are a point to monitor, the absence of executive compensation and low liabilities are strong indicators of financial prudence and a commitment to program delivery. Further analysis of their program spending ratio would provide a more complete picture of their spending efficiency, but the available data suggests a well-managed, mission-driven organization.