Quick charity verification for Teachers College Columbia University (EIN: 131624202)
Verdict: Teachers College Columbia University appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed officer compensation reporting in summary data (0% reported across all periods, which is unusual for an organization of this size).
Strengths
Consistent operational surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most periods (e.g., $290M revenue vs. $263M expenses in 202308).
Strong and growing asset base, increasing from $513M in 201508 to $725M in 202308.
Manageable liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial stability.
Consistent revenue generation over multiple years, demonstrating financial resilience.
Spending Breakdown
How Teachers College Columbia University 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 Teachers College Columbia University
Is Teachers College Columbia University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Teachers College Columbia University (EIN: 131624202) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Teachers College Columbia University a good charity to donate to?
Teachers College Columbia University has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Teachers College Columbia University?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Teachers College Columbia University is 131624202. 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 Teachers College Columbia University spend its money?
Teachers College Columbia University allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Teachers College Columbia University's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Teachers College Columbia University's tax-exempt status using EIN 131624202 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
Teachers College Columbia University demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with consistent revenue streams primarily from tuition and grants. In the 202308 period, the organization reported revenues of $290,297,185 against expenses of $263,318,562, indicating a healthy surplus. Over the past several years, assets have shown a positive trend, reaching $725,479,708 in 202308, while liabilities have remained manageable relative to assets. The organization's NTEE code B500 suggests a focus on higher education, which aligns with its mission.
While specific program spending percentages are not directly provided in the summary data, the consistent generation of surpluses and growth in net assets suggest effective financial management. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data is notable and could indicate that executive compensation is either reported differently or is not a significant direct expense in the summarized figures, which would generally be a positive indicator for transparency and resource allocation. Further detailed analysis of the full 990 forms would be needed to fully assess spending efficiency across program, administrative, and fundraising categories.
The organization's financial health appears robust, with a strong asset base and consistent operational surpluses. The growth in assets from $513,897,536 in 201508 to $725,479,708 in 202308 reflects sound financial stewardship. The consistent revenue generation and controlled expenses contribute to its long-term sustainability as an educational institution.