Quick charity verification for Special Libraries Association (EIN: 135404745)
Verdict: Special Libraries Association shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$666KRevenue
$1.4MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operating deficits since 2017, indicating unsustainable spending relative to revenue (e.g., 2023 deficit of $244,486).
Dramatic decline in revenue over the past decade, from over $4 million in 2014 to under $500,000 in 2023.
Substantial decrease in assets, falling from $7.5 million in 2014 to $1.5 million in 2023, eroding financial reserves.
Liabilities have decreased but remain a notable portion of assets, indicating ongoing financial obligations.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory transparency.
Historically maintained significant asset levels, though these have declined, suggesting past financial prudence.
Spending Breakdown
How Special Libraries Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Special Libraries Association
Is Special Libraries Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Special Libraries Association (EIN: 135404745) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Special Libraries Association a good charity to donate to?
Special Libraries Association has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $666K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Special Libraries Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Special Libraries Association is 135404745. 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 Special Libraries Association spend its money?
Special Libraries Association allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Special Libraries Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Special Libraries Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 135404745 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 Special Libraries Association (SLA) has experienced a significant decline in revenue and assets over the past decade, raising concerns about its long-term financial sustainability. Revenue has plummeted from over $4 million in 2014 to $486,636 in 2023, while assets have decreased from $7.5 million to $1.5 million in the same period. The organization has consistently operated at a deficit in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in every filing period since 2017, including a substantial deficit of $244,486 in 2023. This trend indicates a need for strategic financial restructuring to align expenses with declining income.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operating deficits suggest that the organization's spending has not been effectively managed in relation to its shrinking revenue base. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings is notable, suggesting either a volunteer-led executive structure or compensation being reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency if not clearly disclosed elsewhere.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. However, the absence of officer compensation in the provided data, while not necessarily a red flag on its own, warrants further investigation into how executive leadership is compensated, if at all. The significant decline in financial resources over a prolonged period suggests a need for greater transparency regarding the strategies being implemented to address these financial challenges and ensure the organization's future viability.