Is The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc (EIN: 134099659)
Verdict: The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (e.g., $10,603 deficit in 2022)
Significant decline in total assets over time (from $538,207 in 2014 to $62,072 in 2022)
Large expense spike in 2020 ($366,265) without corresponding revenue, indicating potential instability or a major one-off event.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a volunteer-driven or very lean leadership structure.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating transparency in reporting.
Low liabilities across most years, suggesting good debt management.
Spending Breakdown
How The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa 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 Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc
Is The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc (EIN: 134099659) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc is 134099659. 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 Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc spend its money?
The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134099659 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 Student Sponsorship Program Of South Africa Inc appears to be a very small organization with fluctuating financial activity. In 2022, it reported revenue of $5,009 and expenses of $15,612, resulting in a deficit. This trend of expenses often exceeding revenue is visible in several years, notably in 2020 where expenses were $366,265 against revenue of $18,382, indicating a significant draw on reserves or a large one-time expenditure. The organization's assets have also seen a substantial decline from a peak of $538,207 in 2014 to $62,072 in 2022, suggesting a consistent use of its principal over time.
Given the available data, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean operational structure, which can be a positive sign for donor dollars going directly to programs. The organization's transparency is good in terms of filing its IRS 990s consistently, but the small scale and declining asset base warrant closer examination for long-term sustainability.