Quick charity verification for Thoreau Society Inc (EIN: 166035496)
Verdict: Thoreau Society Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$560KRevenue
$638KAssets
0Red Flags
4Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Significant growth in assets from $193,935 in 2016 to $696,724 in 2024, demonstrating financial health.
Regularly files IRS Form 990s (13 filings), indicating strong transparency and accountability.
Generally positive net income in recent years, with revenue exceeding expenses (e.g., $497,912 revenue vs. $376,380 expenses in 202403).
Spending Breakdown
How Thoreau Society Inc 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 Thoreau Society Inc
Is Thoreau Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Thoreau Society Inc (EIN: 166035496) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Thoreau Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
Thoreau Society Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $560K. Assets: $638K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Thoreau Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Thoreau Society Inc is 166035496. 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 Thoreau Society Inc spend its money?
Thoreau Society Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Thoreau Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Thoreau Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 166035496 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 Thoreau Society Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams over the past decade, averaging around $370,000 annually. In the most recent filing (202403), the organization reported revenues of $497,912 against expenses of $376,380, resulting in a surplus that contributed to an increase in assets to $696,724. This trend of revenue exceeding expenses in recent years suggests prudent financial management and a healthy ability to cover operational costs.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is likely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation. This practice can significantly reduce administrative overhead and allow a greater proportion of funds to be directed towards programmatic activities. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator for efficiency.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods is a strong positive. The readily available financial data allows for public scrutiny and demonstrates a commitment to accountability. The organization's asset growth from $193,935 in 2016 to $696,724 in 2024, alongside manageable liabilities, further underscores its financial stability and capacity to sustain its mission.