Is Shepherd International University Legit?…

Quick charity verification for Shepherd International University (EIN: 203979266)

Spending Breakdown

How Shepherd International University allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Shepherd International University

Is Shepherd International University a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Shepherd International University (EIN: 203979266) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Shepherd International University a good charity to donate to?

Shepherd International University 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 Shepherd International University?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Shepherd International University is 203979266. 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 Shepherd International University spend its money?

Shepherd International University allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Shepherd International University's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Shepherd International University's tax-exempt status using EIN 203979266 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

Shepherd International University's financial health, based on available IRS 990 data, shows a pattern of positive net income in most reported periods, indicating it generally operates within its means. For instance, in 2016, revenue was $2,976,160 against expenses of $2,188,243, resulting in a surplus. The organization has also shown consistent asset growth, reaching $2,887,371 in 2016, which suggests financial stability. However, the most recent data showing $0 revenue and $0 assets is concerning and requires further investigation to understand if this represents a cessation of operations or a reporting anomaly.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. The consistent positive net income across several years suggests that overall expenses are managed effectively relative to revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is notable and could indicate a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which would impact transparency.

Transparency is moderately concerning due to the lack of detailed expense breakdowns and the $0 revenue/assets reported for the latest period, which contrasts sharply with previous years' activity. While the organization has a history of filing, the absence of officer compensation figures in the provided data, combined with the recent $0 figures, raises questions about the completeness and clarity of its financial reporting.

Is Shepherd International University Legit?

Verdict: Shepherd International University shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths