Is Tennessee Music Education Association…

Quick charity verification for Tennessee Music Education Association (EIN: 203325550)

Spending Breakdown

How Tennessee Music Education Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Tennessee Music Education Association

Is Tennessee Music Education Association a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Tennessee Music Education Association (EIN: 203325550) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Tennessee Music Education Association a good charity to donate to?

Tennessee Music Education Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $442K. Assets: $57K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Tennessee Music Education Association?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Tennessee Music Education Association is 203325550. 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 Tennessee Music Education Association spend its money?

Tennessee Music Education Association allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Tennessee Music Education Association's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Tennessee Music Education Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 203325550 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 Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) demonstrates a consistent operational pattern, with revenues and expenses generally in close proximity, indicating a focus on direct program delivery rather than significant asset accumulation. In the latest period (202406), the organization reported revenues of $441,617 against expenses of $458,963, resulting in a slight deficit. This trend of expenses occasionally exceeding revenue is visible in several past periods, such as 202306 and 202106, suggesting a tight operational budget. The organization's assets have seen a decline from a high of $154,282 in 201806 to $56,547 in 202406, which warrants attention regarding long-term financial stability, although liabilities remain minimal or zero, indicating good debt management.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, it's challenging to give a precise assessment. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds, as it suggests that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive for donor confidence. The organization's financial health appears stable for its operational size, but the declining asset base and recurring small deficits suggest a need for strategic financial planning to build reserves.

Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods. The absence of officer compensation is a notable positive for transparency and efficiency. However, a more detailed breakdown of functional expenses would further enhance transparency and allow for a more granular analysis of spending efficiency.

Is Tennessee Music Education Association Legit?

Verdict: Tennessee Music Education Association appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths