Quick charity verification for Tofte Lake Center (EIN: 134359561)
Verdict: Tofte Lake Center appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$324KRevenue
$343KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Operating deficit in the latest filing period (202312), with expenses ($355,453) exceeding revenue ($270,494).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient resource allocation.
Strong long-term asset growth, increasing from $238,801 in 2014 to $344,594 in 2023.
Very low liabilities across all filing periods, demonstrating strong financial management and minimal debt.
Significant revenue growth over the past decade, indicating increasing support and program reach.
Excellent transparency with 13 consistent IRS 990 filings.
Spending Breakdown
How Tofte Lake Center 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 Tofte Lake Center
Is Tofte Lake Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Tofte Lake Center (EIN: 134359561) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Tofte Lake Center a good charity to donate to?
Tofte Lake Center has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $324K. Assets: $343K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Tofte Lake Center?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Tofte Lake Center is 134359561. 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 Tofte Lake Center spend its money?
Tofte Lake Center allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Tofte Lake Center's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Tofte Lake Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 134359561 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
Tofte Lake Center demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade. In the latest filing period (202312), the organization reported revenue of $270,494 against expenses of $355,453, indicating a deficit for the year. However, this follows a strong surplus in 202212 where revenue was $316,460 and expenses were $244,384. The organization's assets have steadily increased from $238,801 in 2014 to $344,594 in 2023, suggesting prudent financial management over the long term. Liabilities remain very low, at $3,785 in 2023, which is a positive indicator of financial health and low debt burden.
The organization's transparency is excellent, as evidenced by 13 filings and consistent reporting of zero officer compensation, which is a strong positive for a nonprofit of this size. While the 2023 deficit is notable, it appears to be an anomaly in a trend of overall growth and sound asset management. The NTEE code A20 (Arts, Culture & Humanities) suggests a focus on program delivery, and the absence of officer compensation implies that resources are likely directed towards the mission rather than executive salaries. Further analysis of program vs. administrative spending would provide a more complete picture of spending efficiency.
Overall, Tofte Lake Center appears to be a well-managed organization with a strong commitment to its mission, supported by a healthy asset base and minimal liabilities. The recent deficit warrants monitoring but does not overshadow a decade of consistent growth and financial stability. The lack of executive compensation is a significant strength in terms of resource allocation and transparency.