Quick charity verification for Southeastern Connecticut Television (EIN: 203058967)
Verdict: Southeastern Connecticut Television appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$353KRevenue
$333KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided data prevents full efficiency analysis.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Significant revenue growth in recent years, from $181,148 in 2021 to $542,401 in 2023.
Positive net income in the most recent filing (2023), with revenue exceeding expenses.
Growing asset base, increasing from $97,922 in 2019 to $242,521 in 2023.
Low liabilities, often $0, indicating strong financial management and minimal debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Southeastern Connecticut Television 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 Southeastern Connecticut Television
Is Southeastern Connecticut Television a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southeastern Connecticut Television (EIN: 203058967) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Southeastern Connecticut Television a good charity to donate to?
Southeastern Connecticut Television has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $353K. Assets: $333K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Southeastern Connecticut Television?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Southeastern Connecticut Television is 203058967. 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 Southeastern Connecticut Television spend its money?
Southeastern Connecticut Television allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Southeastern Connecticut Television's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Southeastern Connecticut Television's tax-exempt status using EIN 203058967 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
Southeastern Connecticut Television demonstrates a fluctuating but generally improving financial trajectory over the past decade. Revenue has seen significant growth, particularly in the last two periods, jumping from $181,148 in 2021 to $542,401 in 2023. This growth has allowed for increased program spending, though specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, contributing positively to spending efficiency by minimizing overhead in this area.
While the organization has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2021, 2019, 2018), the most recent filings show a positive net income, with revenue of $542,401 exceeding expenses of $534,757 in 2023. Asset growth has also been notable, increasing from $97,922 in 2019 to $242,521 in 2023, indicating a strengthening financial position. The low liabilities, often at $0 for several years and only $10,692 in 2023, suggest good financial management and minimal debt burden.
Overall, the organization appears to be financially stable and growing, with a strong commitment to minimizing executive compensation. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in the provided data limits a full assessment of spending efficiency beyond the executive compensation aspect. However, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade indicates a commitment to regulatory transparency.