Quick charity verification for The Pop Tech Institute (EIN: 10518900)
Verdict: The Pop Tech Institute has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$309KRevenue
$5KAssets
4Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Persistent operating deficits for the last four years (2020-2023)
Liabilities ($769,263 in 2023) vastly exceed assets ($42,453 in 2023)
Significant decline in assets over time, from $273,945 in 2014 to $4,706 currently
Negative net assets, indicating insolvency
Strengths
Reported 0% officer compensation, indicating resources are not diverted to high executive salaries
Spending Breakdown
How The Pop Tech Institute allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Pop Tech Institute
Is The Pop Tech Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Pop Tech Institute (EIN: 10518900) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is The Pop Tech Institute a good charity to donate to?
The Pop Tech Institute has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $309K. Assets: $5K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Pop Tech Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Pop Tech Institute is 10518900. 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 Pop Tech Institute spend its money?
The Pop Tech Institute allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Pop Tech Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Pop Tech Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 10518900 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 Pop Tech Institute exhibits significant financial instability, consistently operating at a deficit for the past four years. In 2023, expenses ($439,610) exceeded revenue ($373,392) by over $66,000, a trend seen in 2022 ($407,488 expenses vs. $298,550 revenue), 2021 ($263,807 expenses vs. $180,871 revenue), and 2020 ($275,543 expenses vs. $260,934 revenue). This persistent deficit spending has led to a precarious financial position, with liabilities ($769,263 in 2023) vastly outweighing assets ($42,453 in 2023). The organization's assets have also declined significantly from a high of $273,945 in 2014 to just $4,706 currently, indicating a severe erosion of financial reserves. While officer compensation is reported as 0%, which is positive for transparency, the overall financial health is concerning due to the large and growing liabilities relative to minimal assets and ongoing operational losses.