Quick charity verification for South Carolina Retail Association (EIN: 201926761)
Verdict: South Carolina Retail Association appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$492KRevenue
$596KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program vs. admin/fundraising)
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if paid as contractors or through other means.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $285,511 in 2013 to $344,172 in 2022.
Healthy asset accumulation, with assets growing from $213,055 in 2013 to $596,240 currently.
Strong solvency, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $346,751 assets vs. $33,190 liabilities in 2022).
Expenses consistently lower than revenue, indicating sound financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How South Carolina Retail Association 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 South Carolina Retail Association
Is South Carolina Retail Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, South Carolina Retail Association (EIN: 201926761) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is South Carolina Retail Association a good charity to donate to?
South Carolina Retail Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $492K. Assets: $596K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for South Carolina Retail Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for South Carolina Retail Association is 201926761. 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 Retail Association spend its money?
South Carolina Retail Association allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify South Carolina Retail Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify South Carolina Retail Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 201926761 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 South Carolina Retail Association demonstrates consistent financial growth and appears to manage its finances prudently. Over the past decade, the organization has seen its revenue steadily increase, from $285,511 in 2013 to $344,172 in 2022, with the latest reported revenue at $491,851. This growth is also reflected in its assets, which have grown from $213,055 in 2013 to $596,240 currently. The organization consistently maintains a healthy financial position, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities, indicating good solvency. For example, in 2022, assets were $346,751 against liabilities of $33,190.
Spending efficiency is generally good, as expenses have consistently been lower than revenue, allowing for asset accumulation. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not reported in a way that is captured by this metric, which warrants further investigation. The organization's NTEE code S41 (Business & Professional Associations) suggests its primary activities are advocacy and support for retail businesses, which aligns with its name. Without a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative expenses, a precise assessment of program spending efficiency is challenging, but the overall financial health is positive.