Quick charity verification for Transportation Institute (EIN: 112099490)
Verdict: Transportation Institute appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$32.7MRevenue
$21.2MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low reported liabilities relative to assets, which could warrant further investigation into financial structure.
No reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which is atypical and might suggest alternative compensation structures not captured in this specific line item.
Strengths
Consistent revenue exceeding expenses, leading to healthy surpluses.
Steady and significant growth in assets over the past decade (from $9.19M in 2014 to $19.51M in 2023).
Extremely low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial solvency.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a high dedication of funds to mission or volunteer leadership.
Consistent filing history (13 filings) demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Transportation Institute 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 Transportation Institute
Is Transportation Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Transportation Institute (EIN: 112099490) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Transportation Institute a good charity to donate to?
Transportation Institute has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $32.7M. Assets: $21.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Transportation Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Transportation Institute is 112099490. 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 Transportation Institute spend its money?
Transportation Institute allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Transportation Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Transportation Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 112099490 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 Transportation Institute demonstrates consistent financial health and efficient spending based on its IRS 990 filings. Over the past decade, the organization has consistently generated more revenue than expenses, leading to a steady growth in assets, from $9.19 million in 2014 to $19.51 million in 2023. This indicates sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. Their liabilities have remained very low relative to their assets, suggesting a strong balance sheet and minimal financial risk.
Spending efficiency appears high, with expenses consistently lower than revenue. For example, in 2023, expenses were $4.54 million against $5.39 million in revenue, representing an expense ratio of approximately 84%. This suggests that a significant portion of their income is either retained for future programs or directly allocated to their mission. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the organization's objectives rather than executive salaries.
While the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture points to a well-managed and fiscally responsible organization. The consistent growth in assets and the low liability profile further reinforce a positive assessment of their financial stability and capacity to sustain their operations.