Quick charity verification for Swans Island Educational Society (EIN: 10317540)
Verdict: Swans Island Educational Society shows mixed signals
60/100Mission Score
$88KRevenue
$894KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in all reported years)
Steady decline in total assets over the past decade (from $1.15M to $0.9M)
Reliance on asset draw to cover operational expenses
Strengths
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings)
No reported officer compensation, indicating low executive overhead
Relatively low liabilities compared to assets
Spending Breakdown
How Swans Island Educational Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Swans Island Educational Society
Is Swans Island Educational Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Swans Island Educational Society (EIN: 10317540) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Swans Island Educational Society a good charity to donate to?
Swans Island Educational Society has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $88K. Assets: $894K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Swans Island Educational Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Swans Island Educational Society is 10317540. 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 Swans Island Educational Society spend its money?
Swans Island Educational Society allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Swans Island Educational Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Swans Island Educational Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 10317540 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 Swans Island Educational Society demonstrates consistent financial transparency through its regular IRS 990 filings, with 13 filings available. However, the organization has consistently spent more than it has brought in over the past several years, indicating a reliance on its asset base. For example, in 2023, revenue was $81,021 while expenses were $102,353, resulting in a deficit of over $21,000. This trend is visible across all provided years, leading to a gradual decline in assets from $1,147,799 in 2014 to $902,590 in 2023.
While the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not detailed in the provided summary, the consistent operating deficits suggest that the organization's spending efficiency needs closer examination. The absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator regarding executive spending. The organization's long-term financial sustainability is a concern given the continuous draw on its assets, which have decreased by approximately 21% over the last decade. A strategy to increase revenue or reduce expenses is crucial for its future viability.