Quick charity verification for Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park (EIN: 204123872)
Verdict: Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$414KRevenue
$345KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent periods (e.g., 202403 and 202303).
Significant increase in liabilities from $28,149 in 202003 to $236,369 in 202403.
Lack of reported officer compensation for an organization of this revenue size, which could mask compensation or indicate reliance on unpaid leadership.
Strengths
Long operational history with 13 filings, indicating stability and commitment.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a strong volunteer ethos or highly efficient leadership structure.
Consistent asset growth from $122,787 in 202003 to $344,988 in 202403.
Spending Breakdown
How Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park
Is Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park (EIN: 204123872) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park a good charity to donate to?
Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $414K. Assets: $345K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park is 204123872. 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 Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park spend its money?
Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park's tax-exempt status using EIN 204123872 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
Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park demonstrates a consistent operational history, though recent filings indicate a trend of expenses exceeding revenue. In the latest period (202403), the organization reported revenue of $414,277 against expenses of $473,828, resulting in a deficit. This follows a similar pattern in 202303 where expenses ($489,741) also surpassed revenue ($477,428). While the organization has maintained positive assets, growing from $122,787 in 202003 to $344,988 in 202403, its liabilities have also increased significantly, reaching $236,369 in 202403 from $28,149 in 202003. The absence of officer compensation reported across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive indicator of efficiency and dedication to mission, though it's important to understand how key leadership roles are compensated if at all. The organization's NTEE code Q32 (Retail Trade) suggests its primary activities involve selling goods, likely fair trade products, to support its mission.