Is School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York Legit?
Quick charity verification for School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York (EIN: 161556349)
Verdict: School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$18.5MRevenue
$5.1MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency and dedication to mission.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, demonstrating financial stability (e.g., $5,066,071 assets vs. $1,770,883 liabilities in 202406).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), suggesting strong compliance and transparency.
Revenues and expenses are closely aligned, indicating effective financial management and resource allocation.
Consistent operational activity with multi-million dollar revenues over many years.
Spending Breakdown
How School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York
Is School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York (EIN: 161556349) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York a good charity to donate to?
School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $18.5M. Assets: $5.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York is 161556349. 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 School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York spend its money?
School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York's tax-exempt status?
You can verify School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York's tax-exempt status using EIN 161556349 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 School And Municipal Energy Cooperative Of Western New York demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses closely aligned across its filing history. For instance, in the 202306 period, revenue was $18,401,188 against expenses of $18,085,758, indicating a tight operational margin. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a significant indicator of financial efficiency and a strong commitment to its mission, as it suggests that all funds are directed towards operational costs and program delivery rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances its transparency and trustworthiness.
While specific program spending ratios are not detailed in the provided data, the close alignment of revenues and expenses, coupled with zero officer compensation, suggests that the vast majority of funds are likely allocated to its core energy cooperative activities. The organization maintains a healthy asset base relative to its liabilities, with assets of $5,066,071 and liabilities of $1,770,883 in the latest filing (202406 period), indicating financial stability. The consistent filing of 14 IRS 990 forms over time also points to a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.