Is Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc (EIN: 135654450)

Verdict: Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$6.1MRevenue

$16.3MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant year-over-year volatility in revenue and expenses, making financial planning and sustainability harder to assess.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, hindering a precise efficiency analysis.

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, indicating strong financial management or successful fundraising efforts over time.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a high dedication of funds to the mission.
Relatively low liabilities in most years, indicating a healthy balance sheet and low financial risk.
Substantial surplus in recent years (e.g., 2023: Revenue $5.39M, Expenses $2.85M), allowing for future program investment or reserve building.

Spending Breakdown

How Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc

Is Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc (EIN: 135654450) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.1M. Assets: $16.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc is 135654450. 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 Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc spend its money?

Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 135654450 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

Selfhelp Community Services Foundation Inc demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with significant swings in both revenue and expenses. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, the organization reported revenue of $5,392,129 against expenses of $2,851,806, indicating a substantial surplus. This contrasts sharply with 2022, where revenue was $1,453,773 and expenses were $3,454,128, resulting in a deficit. The organization's assets have shown consistent growth, increasing from $6,097,604 in 2017 to $15,278,417 in 2023, suggesting effective asset management or significant capital contributions. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a complete assessment of spending efficiency is challenging.

The organization's financial health appears robust in terms of asset accumulation, but the volatility in annual revenue and expenses warrants closer examination to understand the underlying causes and sustainability of its funding model. The low liabilities reported in most years, such as $183,067 in 2023, suggest a healthy balance sheet. The absence of officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency and public trust, indicating that leadership is either unpaid or compensated through a related entity, which would require further investigation to fully understand the compensation structure. Overall, while asset growth and zero reported officer compensation are positive, the variability in annual financial results suggests a need for more consistent financial planning or a clearer explanation of its operational model.

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Disclaimer

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