Quick charity verification for Southern Eye Institute (EIN: 203606453)
Verdict: Southern Eye Institute appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$649KRevenue
$419KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $161,162 in 2023 and $63,134 in 2022)
Increasing liabilities, reaching $114,996 in 2023, which could impact financial flexibility.
Strengths
Zero executive compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $4,551 in 2014 to $365,544 in 2023.
History of consistent IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Southern Eye Institute 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 Southern Eye Institute
Is Southern Eye Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southern Eye Institute (EIN: 203606453) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Southern Eye Institute a good charity to donate to?
Southern Eye Institute has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $649K. Assets: $419K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Southern Eye Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Southern Eye Institute is 203606453. 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 Southern Eye Institute spend its money?
Southern Eye Institute allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Southern Eye Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Southern Eye Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 203606453 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
Southern Eye Institute demonstrates fluctuating financial health over the past several years. While the organization reported a significant surplus in 2021 with revenue of $729,196 against expenses of $251,366, it has experienced deficits in more recent periods, such as 2023 (revenue $315,911, expenses $477,073) and 2022 (revenue $398,520, expenses $461,654). This indicates a need for more consistent financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. The organization's assets have grown considerably from $4,551 in 2014 to $365,544 in 2023, suggesting some capacity building, but liabilities have also increased in recent years, reaching $114,996 in 2023. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the absence of executive compensation.