Quick charity verification for Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc (EIN: 204751145)
Verdict: Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$187KRevenue
$2.1MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, increasing from $1,164,816 in 2014 to $1,901,294 in 2023.
Extremely low expense ratio relative to revenue (e.g., $20,636 expenses vs. $107,357 revenue in 2023).
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency or volunteer leadership.
Zero liabilities reported in all available filings, demonstrating strong financial stability.
Strong program focus implied by minimal administrative and fundraising costs, with resources directed towards the cemetery's upkeep and endowment.
Spending Breakdown
How Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc
Is Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc (EIN: 204751145) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $187K. Assets: $2.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc is 204751145. 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 Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc spend its money?
Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204751145 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
Smith Chapel Cemetery Foundation Inc demonstrates strong financial health, consistently growing its assets over the past decade, reaching $1,901,294 in 2023. The organization maintains a very low expense ratio relative to its revenue and assets, indicating efficient management of its resources. For instance, in 2023, expenses were only $20,636 against revenues of $107,357. This suggests a focus on long-term asset preservation and growth, which aligns with a foundation's role in maintaining a cemetery.
The organization's spending efficiency is exceptionally high, with expenses consistently representing a small fraction of its revenue. This is further supported by the fact that there is no reported officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven or very lean operational model. The absence of liabilities across all reported periods also points to a very stable and fiscally responsible operation.
Transparency appears to be good, with 13 filings available, demonstrating consistent reporting to the IRS. The clear financial picture, with no debt and minimal operational costs, provides a high degree of confidence in the organization's stewardship of its funds. The primary financial activity seems to be asset growth and minimal operational spending, which is appropriate for a cemetery foundation.