Quick charity verification for Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept (EIN: 161741239)
Verdict: Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$126KRevenue
$112KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant decrease in assets from over $600,000 in 2018 to $85,422 in 2023 without clear explanation.
Sudden increase in liabilities to $40,883 in 2023 after several years of reporting zero liabilities.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership.
Revenue consistently exceeding expenses in recent years (e.g., $122,575 revenue vs. $78,036 expenses in 2023).
Long history of IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept 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 Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept
Is Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept (EIN: 161741239) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept a good charity to donate to?
Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $126K. Assets: $112K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept is 161741239. 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 Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept spend its money?
Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept's tax-exempt status using EIN 161741239 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 Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Dept demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues fluctuating but generally showing an upward trend in recent years, reaching $122,575 in 2023. The organization appears to manage its expenses effectively, as evidenced by its 2023 expenses of $78,036 being significantly lower than its revenue, contributing to an increase in net assets. However, a notable increase in liabilities to $40,883 in 2023, after several years of reporting zero liabilities, warrants closer examination to understand its nature and impact on financial stability. The organization's assets have also seen a significant decrease from a peak of over $600,000 in earlier years to $85,422 in 2023, which could indicate asset depreciation or divestment.
Spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses consistently below revenue in most recent periods, suggesting good operational control. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings indicates that leadership is likely volunteer-based, which is a positive sign for resource allocation directly to mission-related activities. The organization's transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings, providing a clear historical financial picture.
While the recent increase in liabilities and the substantial decrease in assets from historical levels are points of interest, the overall trend of revenue exceeding expenses in recent years suggests a stable operational footing. The lack of executive compensation further reinforces the idea that resources are being directed towards the organization's mission of providing fire services to the community.