Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., $486,151 in 2023, $144,585 in 2021), where expenses exceed revenue.
Significant year-over-year revenue fluctuations, making financial planning potentially challenging (e.g., $1,387,298 in 2022 down to $803,265 in 2023).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in executive overhead.
Strong transparency with 13 IRS 990 filings publicly available.
Maintains healthy assets ($1,404,129 latest) relative to liabilities, providing a financial cushion.
Long operational history with consistent filings since at least 2014.
Spending Breakdown
How Sustainable Pittsburgh allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Sustainable Pittsburgh
Is Sustainable Pittsburgh a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sustainable Pittsburgh (EIN: 203575951) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Sustainable Pittsburgh a good charity to donate to?
Sustainable Pittsburgh has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sustainable Pittsburgh?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sustainable Pittsburgh is 203575951. 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 Sustainable Pittsburgh spend its money?
Sustainable Pittsburgh allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sustainable Pittsburgh's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sustainable Pittsburgh's tax-exempt status using EIN 203575951 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
Sustainable Pittsburgh demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though recent filings show a trend of expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $1,289,416 against revenues of $803,265, resulting in a significant deficit. This pattern is also visible in 2021 and 2019. While the organization maintains healthy assets relative to liabilities, the consistent operational deficits could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed. The organization's transparency is commendable, with 13 filings available, and a consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led or very low-paid executive structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.
Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation suggests a lean approach to executive overhead. The organization's ability to maintain substantial assets ($1,404,129 latest) despite periods of operational deficits indicates effective asset management or significant prior surpluses. The fluctuation in revenue and expenses over the years suggests project-based funding or varying grant cycles, which is common for nonprofits in the environmental sector.
Overall, Sustainable Pittsburgh appears to be a transparent organization with a strong commitment to its mission, evidenced by its executive compensation structure. However, the recent trend of spending more than it earns warrants closer monitoring to ensure long-term financial health and program delivery capacity. Donors should be aware of the operational deficits in recent years, such as the $486,151 deficit in 2023, and consider how the organization plans to address these.