Quick charity verification for Staten Island Zoological Society Inc (EIN: 135680691)
Verdict: Staten Island Zoological Society Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$5.5MRevenue
$4.0MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
No reported officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further inquiry into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $3.9 million in 2015 to $5.5 million in 2024.
Healthy financial surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most recent periods (e.g., $5,538,109 revenue vs. $5,199,957 expenses in 2024).
Significant asset growth, nearly tripling from $1.47 million in 2015 to $4.05 million in 2024.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial stability (e.g., $950,224 liabilities vs. $4,048,142 assets in 2024).
Spending Breakdown
How Staten Island Zoological Society Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Staten Island Zoological Society Inc
Is Staten Island Zoological Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Staten Island Zoological Society Inc (EIN: 135680691) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Staten Island Zoological Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
Staten Island Zoological Society Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $5.5M. Assets: $4.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Staten Island Zoological Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Staten Island Zoological Society Inc is 135680691. 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 Staten Island Zoological Society Inc spend its money?
Staten Island Zoological Society Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Staten Island Zoological Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Staten Island Zoological Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 135680691 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 Staten Island Zoological Society Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue growth over the past several years, increasing from $3.9 million in 2015 to $5.5 million in 2024. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in the latest filing where revenue of $5,538,109 exceeded expenses of $5,199,957, indicating sound financial management. Asset growth is also notable, nearly tripling from $1.47 million in 2015 to $4.05 million in 2024, suggesting effective asset accumulation and investment in its mission.
Spending efficiency appears strong, with the organization consistently managing expenses below or very close to revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. This practice, while unusual, suggests a highly volunteer-driven or externally compensated leadership structure, which merits further inquiry for complete understanding but is positive on its face.
Overall, the financial health of the Staten Island Zoological Society Inc. appears robust, characterized by steady growth, responsible spending, and a high degree of transparency regarding executive compensation. The consistent surpluses and asset growth position the organization well for continued operations and mission fulfillment.