Is Sweetser Legit?

Strengths

Consistent IRS 990 filing history (12 filings) demonstrating transparency.
Substantial and stable asset base ($52,055,867 latest) providing financial security.
Significant revenue generation, often exceeding $60 million annually, indicating strong operational capacity.
Positive net income in several recent periods (e.g., 202306, 202106) showing effective financial management.
Long operational history with consistent financial reporting over a decade.

Spending Breakdown

How Sweetser allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Sweetser

Is Sweetser a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sweetser (EIN: 10211807) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Sweetser a good charity to donate to?

Sweetser has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $67.1M. Assets: $52.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Sweetser?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sweetser is 10211807. 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 Sweetser spend its money?

Sweetser allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Sweetser's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Sweetser's tax-exempt status using EIN 10211807 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

Sweetser demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities over the past decade. While revenue and expenses have fluctuated, the organization has managed to maintain a positive net income in several recent periods, such as 202306 (Revenue: $55,384,833, Expenses: $53,226,870) and 202106 (Revenue: $66,475,460, Expenses: $61,500,389). However, there have been periods of deficit, notably in 202206 where expenses ($63,577,196) exceeded revenue ($62,475,521). The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods indicates a commitment to transparency regarding its financial operations.

Spending efficiency appears reasonable, though specific program, administrative, and fundraising breakdowns are not provided in the raw data. The overall trend shows expenses generally tracking revenue, suggesting a focus on delivering services. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data is unusual and could indicate that compensation is reported differently or that the officers are uncompensated, which would be a significant positive for efficiency. Further investigation into the detailed expense categories would be necessary to fully assess spending efficiency.

Sweetser's financial health, characterized by substantial assets ($52,055,867 latest) and a history of managing significant revenue streams, appears sound. The organization's ability to navigate varying economic conditions over a decade, as evidenced by its filing history, suggests resilience. The consistent filing of 990s contributes positively to its transparency profile.

Verdict: Sweetser appears trustworthy

Red Flags