Quick charity verification for Son Light Center (EIN: 204309408)
Verdict: Son Light Center appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.7MRevenue
$1.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Extreme volatility in annual revenue and expenses, making long-term financial planning difficult to assess.
Significant fluctuations in assets and liabilities without clear explanations in the provided data.
Lack of detailed program spending breakdown in the provided summary to fully evaluate efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong commitment to directing funds to mission.
Demonstrated ability to scale operations significantly, as seen in the 202312 filing.
Positive net income in the most recent filing period ($105,443 in 202312).
Spending Breakdown
How Son Light Center 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 Son Light Center
Is Son Light Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Son Light Center (EIN: 204309408) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Son Light Center a good charity to donate to?
Son Light Center has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Son Light Center?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Son Light Center is 204309408. 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 Son Light Center spend its money?
Son Light Center allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Son Light Center's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Son Light Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 204309408 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
Son Light Center demonstrates a highly variable financial history, with a significant surge in revenue and expenses in the most recent filing period (202312) to $3,535,020 and $3,429,577 respectively, compared to previous years where revenue rarely exceeded $300,000. This dramatic increase warrants further investigation to understand its source and sustainability. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, the substantial fluctuation in assets, from $370,829 in 202312 down to $25,227 in 202112 and then back up to $1,070,209 (latest reported), suggests potential instability or significant project-based funding cycles. While the lack of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency, the overall financial picture is characterized by extreme volatility, making consistent financial health assessment challenging without more detailed program spending breakdowns.