Quick charity verification for Sandwich Fire Rescue Association (EIN: 20512584)
Verdict: Sandwich Fire Rescue Association shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Zero revenue and assets in the latest filing, raising questions about current operational status.
Lack of recent detailed financial activity makes current financial health difficult to assess.
Strengths
Consistently reports zero liabilities, indicating no debt.
No officer compensation reported, suggesting a volunteer-driven leadership.
Low expenses relative to revenue in prior active periods (e.g., $3,455 expenses vs. $11,530 revenue in 2016) indicate efficient spending when active.
Spending Breakdown
How Sandwich Fire Rescue Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Sandwich Fire Rescue Association
Is Sandwich Fire Rescue Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sandwich Fire Rescue Association (EIN: 20512584) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Sandwich Fire Rescue Association a good charity to donate to?
Sandwich Fire Rescue Association has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sandwich Fire Rescue Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sandwich Fire Rescue Association is 20512584. 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 Sandwich Fire Rescue Association spend its money?
Sandwich Fire Rescue Association allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sandwich Fire Rescue Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sandwich Fire Rescue Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 20512584 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 Sandwich Fire Rescue Association appears to be a very small, volunteer-driven organization based on its financial filings. With zero revenue and assets reported in its latest filing, and relatively low revenue in prior periods ($11,530 in 2016 and $28,119 in 2012), it suggests minimal financial activity or that it may be largely supported by in-kind contributions or direct community support not fully captured in these specific filings. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet without debt. Its spending efficiency, particularly in 2016 where expenses were only $3,455 against $11,530 in revenue, suggests a lean operation. However, the lack of recent financial data (zero revenue/assets) makes a current assessment challenging and raises questions about its ongoing operational status or reporting practices. Transparency is moderate; while filings are available, the absence of recent financial activity makes it difficult to fully evaluate current operations.