Quick charity verification for The Borgen Project (EIN: 200536470)
Verdict: The Borgen Project appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$507KRevenue
$799KAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Operating deficits in recent years (2022 and 2023), where expenses exceeded revenue.
Significant fluctuation and recent decline in revenue from a peak of $1,308,273 in 2020 to $574,196 in 2023.
Decrease in net assets from $1,277,204 in 2021 to $949,871 in 2023.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating high financial integrity.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 periods), demonstrating strong transparency and compliance.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting responsible debt management.
Significant growth in assets and revenue over the past decade, despite recent fluctuations.
Spending Breakdown
How The Borgen Project 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 The Borgen Project
Is The Borgen Project a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Borgen Project (EIN: 200536470) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Borgen Project a good charity to donate to?
The Borgen Project has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $507K. Assets: $799K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Borgen Project?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Borgen Project is 200536470. 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 The Borgen Project spend its money?
The Borgen Project allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Borgen Project's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Borgen Project's tax-exempt status using EIN 200536470 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 Borgen Project demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has shown significant growth in revenue over the past decade, peaking at $1,308,273 in 2020, recent years (2022 and 2023) have seen expenses exceed revenue, leading to a decrease in net assets. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $666,624 against revenues of $574,196. The organization's assets have fluctuated, reaching a high of $1,277,204 in 2021 but declining to $949,871 by 2023. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. However, the recent trend of operating deficits warrants closer examination to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of no officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the top. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low, indicating responsible financial management in terms of debt. The Borgen Project's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public transparency regarding its financial activities. The absence of officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency and public trust.