Is Sandwich Historical Society Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, from $1.57M in 2011 to $2.28M in 2023.
Healthy operating surplus, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses (e.g., $295,801 revenue vs. $181,052 expenses in 2023).
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating highly efficient leadership costs.
Strong financial stability with low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $18,313 liabilities vs. $2,282,038 assets in 2023).
Consistent and transparent IRS 990 filing history over a decade.

Spending Breakdown

How Sandwich Historical Society 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 Sandwich Historical Society

Is Sandwich Historical Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sandwich Historical Society (EIN: 20268251) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Sandwich Historical Society a good charity to donate to?

Sandwich Historical Society has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $312K. Assets: $2.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Sandwich Historical Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sandwich Historical Society is 20268251. 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 Historical Society spend its money?

Sandwich Historical Society allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Sandwich Historical Society's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Sandwich Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 20268251 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 Historical Society demonstrates strong financial health and a consistent commitment to its mission. Over the past decade, the organization has shown steady growth in both revenue and assets, with assets increasing from $1,567,023 in 2011 to $2,282,038 in 2023. This indicates effective asset management and financial stability. The society consistently operates with a surplus, as evidenced by revenues significantly exceeding expenses in most recent years (e.g., $295,801 revenue vs. $181,052 expenses in 2023). This surplus allows for reinvestment in its programs and long-term sustainability.

Spending efficiency appears high, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-driven leadership model or very modest compensation not reported as officer pay. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the overall low expense ratio relative to revenue implies efficient operations. The organization's transparency is commendable, with a decade of consistent IRS 990 filings readily available, providing a clear historical financial picture.

Overall, the Sandwich Historical Society appears to be a well-managed and financially sound organization, effectively stewarding its resources to preserve and promote local history. Its consistent growth, healthy surpluses, and apparent lack of paid executive compensation are strong indicators of its dedication to its mission and efficient use of donor funds.

Is Sandwich Historical Society Legit?

Verdict: Sandwich Historical Society appears trustworthy