Is South Carolina Equality Legit?

Red Flags

Significant decline in annual revenue from $238,866 in 2015 to $32,175 in 2023, indicating potential sustainability challenges.
Periods of deficit spending where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2022 ($68,196 expenses vs. $65,601 revenue), which can erode reserves.
Fluctuating asset levels, with a peak of $36,398 in 2020 followed by a dip to $24,190 in 2022, suggesting inconsistent financial growth.

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating transparency and compliance.
Maintained positive net assets in recent years, reaching $28,628 in 2023, despite revenue declines.
Recent surplus in 2023 ($32,175 revenue vs. $23,788 expenses) shows an ability to manage costs effectively at its current scale.

Spending Breakdown

How South Carolina Equality allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 South Carolina Equality

Is South Carolina Equality a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, South Carolina Equality (EIN: 10712524) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is South Carolina Equality a good charity to donate to?

South Carolina Equality has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $20K. Assets: $34K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for South Carolina Equality?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for South Carolina Equality is 10712524. 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 South Carolina Equality spend its money?

South Carolina Equality allocates 85% to programs, 15% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify South Carolina Equality's tax-exempt status?

You can verify South Carolina Equality's tax-exempt status using EIN 10712524 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

South Carolina Equality demonstrates a fluctuating financial health over the past decade, with a notable decline in revenue from a peak of $238,866 in 2015 to $32,175 in 2023. Despite this, the organization has managed to maintain positive net assets in recent years, reaching $28,628 in 2023, indicating a degree of financial stability relative to its current operational scale. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of efficient use of donor funds for its mission rather than executive salaries.

Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. While the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, such as in 2022 where expenses ($68,196) exceeded revenue ($65,601), it has also shown periods of surplus, like in 2023 where revenue ($32,175) outpaced expenses ($23,788). The absence of reported officer compensation suggests a high proportion of funds are directed towards program activities and administrative overhead, though a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative spending is not provided in the summary data. The organization's consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency.

Overall, South Carolina Equality appears to be a lean operation, particularly in recent years, with a clear focus on its mission given the lack of executive compensation. However, the significant decrease in revenue and the occasional deficit spending suggest potential challenges in fundraising and financial sustainability that warrant closer examination. Its transparency through consistent filings is a positive aspect.

Verdict: South Carolina Equality appears trustworthy