Quick charity verification for The Boston Society Inc (EIN: 201661990)
Verdict: The Boston Society Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$488KRevenue
$280KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Declining asset base from $377,397 in 2019 to $232,797 in 2023, potentially reducing long-term financial stability.
Periods of deficit spending, such as in 2022 where expenses ($287,841) exceeded revenue ($252,403), which could erode reserves if persistent.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating strong transparency.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a high degree of volunteerism and efficient use of funds.
Very low liabilities in recent years (e.g., $970 in 2023), suggesting excellent debt management.
Consistent operational activity over a long period, indicating a stable presence in its mission area.
Spending Breakdown
How The Boston Society Inc 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 The Boston Society Inc
Is The Boston Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Boston Society Inc (EIN: 201661990) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Boston Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Boston Society Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $488K. Assets: $280K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Boston Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Boston Society Inc is 201661990. 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 Boston Society Inc spend its money?
The Boston Society Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Boston Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Boston Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201661990 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 Boston Society Inc. demonstrates a consistent operational history with fluctuating but generally stable financial activity over the past decade. While the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, such as in 2022 where expenses ($287,841) exceeded revenue ($252,403), it has also shown periods of surplus, like in 2023 with revenue of $295,315 against expenses of $277,705. The organization's assets have seen some decline from a high of $377,397 in 2019 to $232,797 in 2023, indicating a reduction in its financial reserves. However, liabilities have remained very low in recent years, suggesting good management of debt.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator for donor confidence, suggesting that a significant portion of funds is not being diverted to executive salaries. The organization's NTEE code B60 (Historical Societies and Related Activities) suggests a focus on cultural preservation, and the financial data indicates a consistent level of activity to support this mission.
Transparency appears to be strong given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, which provides public access to their financial information. The absence of officer compensation is a notable point for transparency and efficiency. While the asset base has decreased, the organization has managed to maintain operations and keep liabilities minimal, which are positive signs for its ongoing viability.