Quick charity verification for Search For Change Inc (EIN: 132893548)
Verdict: Search For Change Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$13.5MRevenue
$20.6MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unclear executive compensation structure (0% reported officer comp may hide other forms of compensation or indicate a fully volunteer executive team, which is rare for this size of organization and warrants further inquiry).
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $8.6M in 2014 to $11.4M in 2023.
Healthy asset growth, from $4.5M in 2014 to $14.9M in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
Consistent operating surpluses, with revenues exceeding expenses in most reported periods (e.g., $11.4M revenue vs $11.2M expenses in 2023).
Reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high efficiency in leadership costs or volunteer leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How Search For Change Inc 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 Search For Change Inc
Is Search For Change Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Search For Change Inc (EIN: 132893548) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Search For Change Inc a good charity to donate to?
Search For Change Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $13.5M. Assets: $20.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Search For Change Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Search For Change Inc is 132893548. 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 Search For Change Inc spend its money?
Search For Change Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Search For Change Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Search For Change Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132893548 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
Search For Change Inc demonstrates consistent financial growth and strong program spending over the past decade. Their revenue has steadily increased from $8.6 million in 2014 to over $11.4 million in 2023, indicating a growing capacity to serve their mission. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in the 2023 period where revenues of $11,413,821 exceeded expenses of $11,280,099, contributing to a healthy accumulation of assets, which grew from $4.5 million in 2014 to nearly $15 million in 2023.
The organization's financial health is further bolstered by its efficient spending. While specific breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the consistent surpluses and asset growth suggest effective management of resources. A notable strength is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which indicates that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on these specific lines, potentially signaling a high degree of dedication to the mission and efficient use of funds.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods is a positive indicator. The absence of reported officer compensation, while potentially a strength, also warrants further investigation into how executive leadership is compensated, if at all, to ensure full transparency. Overall, Search For Change Inc appears to be a financially stable and growing organization with a strong commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its financial trends and reported compensation structure.