Quick charity verification for Rutland Area Farm And Food Link (EIN: 208283600)
Verdict: Rutland Area Farm And Food Link appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and assets, indicating potential operational cessation or significant change.
Expenses frequently exceed revenue, suggesting potential reliance on reserves or other funding not detailed.
Fluctuating asset levels, from $65,623 in 2015 to $16,627 in 2016, and then $0, indicate financial instability.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Regular IRS 990 filings demonstrate a commitment to transparency.
Historically maintained positive assets, though the latest filing is an exception.
Spending Breakdown
How Rutland Area Farm And Food Link allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Rutland Area Farm And Food Link
Is Rutland Area Farm And Food Link a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rutland Area Farm And Food Link (EIN: 208283600) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Rutland Area Farm And Food Link a good charity to donate to?
Rutland Area Farm And Food Link has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Rutland Area Farm And Food Link?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rutland Area Farm And Food Link is 208283600. 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 Rutland Area Farm And Food Link spend its money?
Rutland Area Farm And Food Link allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Rutland Area Farm And Food Link's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Rutland Area Farm And Food Link's tax-exempt status using EIN 208283600 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
Rutland Area Farm And Food Link appears to be a small, community-focused organization with a history of operating near break-even or with slight deficits. Over the past six years, its revenue has fluctuated, peaking at $359,307 in 2015 and dropping to $286,508 in 2016. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to its mission rather than high executive salaries. However, the latest reported revenue and assets are $0, which could indicate a significant change in operations or a reporting anomaly that warrants further investigation.
The financial health shows some volatility, with expenses exceeding revenue in several years (e.g., 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011), leading to a reliance on prior year surpluses or other funding sources. Assets have also varied, from a high of $65,623 in 2015 to $16,627 in 2016, and then to $0 in the latest filing. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation suggests good spending efficiency in terms of leadership costs, but without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a full assessment of overall spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to transparency, though the most recent $0 figures are concerning.