Quick charity verification for The Refuge (EIN: 208442359)
Verdict: The Refuge appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$525KRevenue
$822KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Slight operational deficit in 2023 ($4,693 difference between expenses and revenue).
Strengths
Healthy asset base ($822,312) relative to liabilities ($504,184).
No officer compensation reported in 2023 filing, indicating efficient use of funds.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates transparency.
Latest revenue of $525,160 shows a growing or stable funding stream.
Spending Breakdown
How The Refuge 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 Refuge
Is The Refuge a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Refuge (EIN: 208442359) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Refuge a good charity to donate to?
The Refuge has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $525K. Assets: $822K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Refuge?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Refuge is 208442359. 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 Refuge spend its money?
The Refuge allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Refuge's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Refuge's tax-exempt status using EIN 208442359 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 Refuge appears to be in a stable financial position, with its latest reported assets of $822,312 exceeding its liabilities. While the 2023 fiscal period showed expenses slightly outpacing revenue ($399,896 vs. $395,203), this is a minor deficit and not indicative of significant financial distress, especially given the overall asset base. The organization's commitment to transparency is bolstered by its publicly available IRS 990 filings, which show consistent reporting. The absence of officer compensation reported in the 2023 filing suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation falling below reporting thresholds, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to mission-related activities. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising.