Quick charity verification for Summit Historical Society (EIN: 208778444)
Verdict: Summit Historical Society shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$5Revenue
$149KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Severe and consistent decline in annual revenue (from $43,631 in 2013 to $5 in 2018).
Expenses consistently and significantly exceed revenue, indicating unsustainable operations (e.g., $3,883 expenses vs. $5 revenue in 2018).
Potential reliance on asset depletion to cover operational costs, as assets have decreased from $168,955 in 2015 to $148,859 in 2018.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led structure and efficient use of funds in this area.
Maintains a healthy asset base ($148,859 in 2018) with no reported liabilities, providing some financial cushion.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating basic transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Summit Historical Society 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 Summit Historical Society
Is Summit Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Summit Historical Society (EIN: 208778444) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Summit Historical Society a good charity to donate to?
Summit Historical Society has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $5. Assets: $149K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Summit Historical Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Summit Historical Society is 208778444. 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 Summit Historical Society spend its money?
Summit Historical Society allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Summit Historical Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Summit Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 208778444 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 Summit Historical Society exhibits concerning financial trends, with a drastic decline in revenue over the past several years. In 2018, the organization reported only $5 in revenue against $3,883 in expenses, indicating a significant operational deficit. This trend is consistent, as revenue has fallen from $43,631 in 2013 to its current low. Despite this, the organization maintains a healthy asset base of $148,859 with no reported liabilities in its latest filing, suggesting it is drawing down on reserves to cover expenses. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a volunteer-led structure, which is a positive for transparency and efficiency in that specific area.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent pattern of expenses significantly exceeding revenue, particularly in recent years, raises questions about the sustainability of its operations. For example, in 2017, expenses were $11,521 against only $205 in revenue. While the lack of officer compensation is a strength, the overall financial trajectory suggests a need for a strategic review of fundraising and operational costs to ensure long-term viability. The organization consistently files its IRS 990 forms, demonstrating a commitment to basic transparency requirements.