Is Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation (EIN: 208314921)

Verdict: Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$3.9MRevenue

$8.9MAssets

0Red Flags

5Strengths

No red flags identified.

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, from $3,103,096 in 2015 to $7,481,378 in 2023, demonstrating strong financial health.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a highly efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
Very low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $749 liabilities vs. $7,481,378 assets in 2023), signifying minimal debt burden.
Expenses consistently well below revenue in most years, suggesting effective cost control and financial management.
Strong balance sheet with a healthy asset-to-liability ratio.

Spending Breakdown

How Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation

Is Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation (EIN: 208314921) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation a good charity to donate to?

Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $3.9M. Assets: $8.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation is 208314921. 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 Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation spend its money?

Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208314921 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

Sandusky County Communitiesfoundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with assets consistently growing over the past decade, reaching $7,481,378 in 2023. The organization's revenue has fluctuated, with a notable high of $1,492,592 in 2021 and $1,452,672 in 2018, indicating varying levels of donor support or investment returns. Expenses have remained relatively controlled, typically well below revenue, suggesting efficient management of resources. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $452,244 against $868,688 in revenue.

The organization appears to be financially stable, maintaining low liabilities relative to its assets, with liabilities at only $749 in 2023. This indicates a strong balance sheet and minimal debt burden. The consistent growth in assets, from $3,103,096 in 2015 to $7,481,378 in 2023, reflects effective asset management and potentially successful fundraising or investment strategies. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which can contribute to higher program spending efficiency.

While specific program spending percentages are not provided in the raw data, the overall financial health, low liabilities, and zero officer compensation point towards a well-managed and potentially program-focused organization. Further analysis of their 990 forms would be needed to precisely determine the allocation of expenses between programs, administration, and fundraising, but the available data suggests a responsible approach to financial stewardship.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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