Quick charity verification for Training Ground (EIN: 208093114)
Verdict: Training Ground appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$351KRevenue
$69KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent fiscal period (202312) by $54,769.
Significant decrease in assets from $144,909 in 202212 to $88,192 in 202312.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency.
Very low liabilities, consistently under $4,000, suggesting minimal debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and consistent operation.
Long-term growth in assets from $19,491 in 201412 to $88,192 in 202312, despite recent dip.
Spending Breakdown
How Training Ground 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 Training Ground
Is Training Ground a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Training Ground (EIN: 208093114) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Training Ground a good charity to donate to?
Training Ground has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $351K. Assets: $69K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Training Ground?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Training Ground is 208093114. 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 Training Ground spend its money?
Training Ground allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Training Ground's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Training Ground's tax-exempt status using EIN 208093114 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
Training Ground demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues fluctuating around $300,000-$400,000 annually over the past several years. In the most recent period (202312), the organization reported expenses exceeding revenue by $54,769 ($320,351 expenses vs. $265,582 revenue), leading to a decrease in assets from $144,909 in 202212 to $88,192 in 202312. This trend of expenses occasionally surpassing revenue, as seen in 201912 and 202312, suggests a need for careful financial management to maintain long-term stability.
The organization's assets have shown growth over the long term, from $19,491 in 201412 to $88,192 in 202312, indicating some capacity building. However, the recent decline in assets warrants attention. Liabilities remain very low, consistently under $4,000, which is a positive indicator of minimal debt burden. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which can contribute to higher program spending efficiency.
Overall, Training Ground appears to be a transparent organization given its extensive filing history and consistent reporting. Its financial health is generally stable but shows some volatility in annual net income, with the most recent year indicating a deficit. The absence of officer compensation is a strong point for efficiency, but the organization should monitor its expense-to-revenue ratio to prevent sustained deficits.