Quick charity verification for Sugar Hill Improvement Association (EIN: 20487815)
Verdict: Sugar Hill Improvement Association appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$70KRevenue
$12KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Fluctuating and sometimes negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in several years (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2018, 2015), indicating potential financial strain.
Low asset base ($11,935 currently) suggests limited financial reserves for unexpected events or future growth.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating highly efficient and volunteer-driven leadership.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating a commitment to transparency and compliance.
Low liabilities (consistently $0) suggests responsible financial management and avoidance of debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Sugar Hill Improvement Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Sugar Hill Improvement Association
Is Sugar Hill Improvement Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sugar Hill Improvement Association (EIN: 20487815) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Sugar Hill Improvement Association a good charity to donate to?
Sugar Hill Improvement Association has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $70K. Assets: $12K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sugar Hill Improvement Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sugar Hill Improvement Association is 20487815. 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 Sugar Hill Improvement Association spend its money?
Sugar Hill Improvement Association allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sugar Hill Improvement Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sugar Hill Improvement Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 20487815 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 Sugar Hill Improvement Association appears to be a small, community-focused organization with fluctuating but generally modest financial activity. Over the past decade, its annual revenue has ranged from $0 to $50,000, with expenses often closely mirroring or exceeding revenue in a given year, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $12,347 against $0 revenue, or 2019 where expenses were $52,462 against $50,000 revenue. This suggests a tight operating margin and reliance on year-to-year funding.
The organization's assets are consistently low, peaking at $21,011 in 2022 and currently standing at $11,935, indicating limited financial reserves. A significant positive is the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests a volunteer-driven leadership and efficient use of funds for its stated mission. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to transparency, even for an organization of its size.
While the financial data doesn't provide a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative spending, the absence of officer compensation is a strong indicator of financial efficiency at the leadership level. The organization's small scale and local focus likely mean that a significant portion of its expenses directly support community improvement activities, aligning with its mission.