Quick charity verification for Shepherds Pantry (EIN: 208277679)
Verdict: Shepherds Pantry appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$6.5MRevenue
$1.1MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided summary data, making precise efficiency calculations difficult.
0% officer compensation for an organization of this size is highly unusual and might warrant further investigation into how leadership is compensated or if it's entirely volunteer-run.
Strengths
Exceptional revenue growth, from $201,565 in 2014 to $5,358,649 in 2023.
Consistent financial surpluses, with expenses generally lower than revenue (e.g., $5,240,211 expenses vs. $5,358,649 revenue in 2023).
Strong asset growth, from $238,521 in 2014 to $1,173,990 in 2023.
Very low liabilities, indicating responsible financial management (e.g., $16,029 in 2023).
Reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high dedication of resources to mission.
Spending Breakdown
How Shepherds Pantry allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Shepherds Pantry
Is Shepherds Pantry a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Shepherds Pantry (EIN: 208277679) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Shepherds Pantry a good charity to donate to?
Shepherds Pantry has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $6.5M. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Shepherds Pantry?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Shepherds Pantry is 208277679. 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 Shepherds Pantry spend its money?
Shepherds Pantry allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Shepherds Pantry's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Shepherds Pantry's tax-exempt status using EIN 208277679 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
Shepherds Pantry demonstrates strong financial health and growth, with revenue increasing significantly from $201,565 in 2014 to $5,358,649 in 2023. The organization consistently manages its expenses below its revenue, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $5,240,211 against $5,358,649 in revenue, indicating sound financial management and a surplus for reinvestment or reserves. Assets have also grown substantially, from $238,521 in 2014 to $1,173,990 in 2023, further solidifying its financial position.
The organization appears to be highly efficient in its spending, particularly given the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that resources are primarily directed towards its mission rather than executive salaries. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the consistent surplus and lack of executive compensation are positive indicators of spending efficiency. The low liabilities, such as $16,029 in 2023, also point to responsible financial stewardship.
Transparency is generally good, with 13 filings available, demonstrating a consistent reporting history. The absence of officer compensation is a notable positive for transparency and public trust. To further enhance transparency, a more detailed breakdown of functional expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) would be beneficial for a deeper analysis of spending efficiency.