Is The Mariposa Center Legit?

Red Flags

Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, indicating potential cessation of operations or data anomaly.
Expenses frequently exceeded revenue in historical periods (e.g., 201806, 201706), suggesting tight operating margins and potential reliance on reserves or future funding to cover deficits.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data limits comprehensive financial efficiency assessment.

Spending Breakdown

How The Mariposa Center 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 Mariposa Center

Is The Mariposa Center a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Mariposa Center (EIN: 113819923) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is The Mariposa Center a good charity to donate to?

The Mariposa Center has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for The Mariposa Center?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Mariposa Center is 113819923. 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 Mariposa Center spend its money?

The Mariposa Center allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify The Mariposa Center's tax-exempt status?

You can verify The Mariposa Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 113819923 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 Mariposa Center appears to be a small to medium-sized nonprofit based on its historical revenue, which has fluctuated between approximately $298,507 and $542,040 over the past seven years. The organization has consistently reported zero officer compensation, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to mission-related activities, though it might also suggest reliance on volunteer leadership or that compensation is reported under other categories. The organization's assets have generally been stable, ranging from $175,885 to $243,137, indicating a modest but consistent financial base. However, the latest filing shows $0 in both revenue and assets, which is a significant red flag and suggests the organization may have ceased operations or is in a dormant state, or that the latest data provided is incomplete or erroneous. Without further context on the $0 revenue and assets, it's difficult to fully assess its current financial health.

Historically, the organization's expenses have often been close to or slightly exceeded its revenue in several periods (e.g., 201806, 201706, 201406, 201306), indicating a tight operating margin. While not necessarily a sign of distress for all nonprofits, consistent deficits can erode reserves over time. The absence of reported officer compensation across all historical filings suggests a commitment to minimizing overhead in that specific area, which generally contributes to spending efficiency. However, without a breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency is limited.

Transparency is partially evident through the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns (e.g., program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of how efficiently funds are being utilized. The most recent report of $0 revenue and assets is a critical transparency issue that requires clarification to understand the organization's current status and financial viability. If this represents a true cessation of activity, it impacts the assessment of its long-term sustainability and impact.

Verdict: The Mariposa Center shows mixed signals