Quick charity verification for The Coastal Childrens Museum (EIN: 10409240)
Verdict: The Coastal Childrens Museum appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$115KRevenue
$259KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant expense exceeding revenue in 202203 ($118,442 expenses vs $77,639 revenue), though this has since been corrected.
Strengths
Consistent growth in assets, from $15,450 in 201603 to $253,974 in 202303.
Strong financial surplus in the latest reporting period (202303), with revenue significantly exceeding expenses.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How The Coastal Childrens Museum 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 The Coastal Childrens Museum
Is The Coastal Childrens Museum a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Coastal Childrens Museum (EIN: 10409240) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Coastal Childrens Museum a good charity to donate to?
The Coastal Childrens Museum has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $115K. Assets: $259K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Coastal Childrens Museum?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Coastal Childrens Museum is 10409240. 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 Coastal Childrens Museum spend its money?
The Coastal Childrens Museum allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Coastal Childrens Museum's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Coastal Childrens Museum's tax-exempt status using EIN 10409240 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 Coastal Childrens Museum demonstrates generally sound financial health, with recent growth in revenue and assets. In the latest filing (202303), the organization reported revenue of $142,691 against expenses of $86,266, resulting in a significant surplus that contributed to an increase in assets to $253,974. This positive trend follows a period in 202203 where expenses ($118,442) exceeded revenue ($77,639), indicating a recovery and improved financial management.
The organization appears to be efficient in its spending, as evidenced by the consistent absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that leadership is likely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation. This practice can free up more funds for program delivery. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture suggests a lean operational model.
Transparency is strong given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 8 filings available. The lack of officer compensation also contributes to a perception of good stewardship. The growth in assets from $15,450 in 201603 to $253,974 in 202303, alongside fluctuating but generally increasing revenue, indicates a growing and stable organization.