Is Society For Photographic Education Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Society For Photographic Education Inc (EIN: 132853963)

Verdict: Society For Photographic Education Inc appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$349KRevenue

$158KAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Significant revenue volatility, with a drop from $471,841 in 2020 to $150,501 in 2021.
Recurring deficits in multiple years (e.g., 2023, 2017, 2016, 2015), indicating expenses sometimes exceed revenue.
Assets have not consistently grown with revenue, showing significant fluctuations (e.g., $210,531 in 2019 down to $80,067 in 2021).

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds in this area.
Extensive IRS 990 filing history (12 filings) demonstrating strong financial transparency.
Relatively low liabilities in recent years, such as $1,355 in 2023, suggesting good debt management.

Spending Breakdown

How Society For Photographic Education Inc 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 Society For Photographic Education Inc

Is Society For Photographic Education Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Society For Photographic Education Inc (EIN: 132853963) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Society For Photographic Education Inc a good charity to donate to?

Society For Photographic Education Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $349K. Assets: $158K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Society For Photographic Education Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Society For Photographic Education Inc is 132853963. 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 Society For Photographic Education Inc spend its money?

Society For Photographic Education Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Society For Photographic Education Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Society For Photographic Education Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132853963 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 Society For Photographic Education Inc (SPE) demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization reported a slight deficit in 2023 with expenses exceeding revenue by $3,036 ($376,347 vs $373,311), its assets have shown growth, reaching $169,778 in 2023 from $80,067 in 2021. The organization's revenue has seen significant swings, from a high of $739,031 in 2013 to a low of $150,501 in 2021, indicating potential instability in funding or program delivery. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this area, which is a positive indicator of financial stewardship.

Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. While the organization has managed to keep officer compensation at zero, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is needed for a complete assessment. However, the consistent deficits in several years (e.g., 2017, 2016, 2015) suggest that expenses have often outpaced revenue, which could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed. The relatively low liabilities in recent years, such as $1,355 in 2023, are a positive sign of financial management.

In terms of transparency, the availability of 12 years of IRS 990 filings is a strong positive, allowing for a comprehensive historical analysis of the organization's financial activities. The clear reporting of revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and officer compensation in these filings provides a good foundation for public scrutiny. The absence of officer compensation also simplifies the analysis of potential conflicts of interest or excessive executive pay.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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