Is Traverse City Film Festival Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Traverse City Film Festival allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Traverse City Film Festival

Is Traverse City Film Festival a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Traverse City Film Festival (EIN: 203100410) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Traverse City Film Festival a good charity to donate to?

Traverse City Film Festival has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $499K. Assets: $2.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Traverse City Film Festival?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Traverse City Film Festival is 203100410. 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 Traverse City Film Festival spend its money?

Traverse City Film Festival allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Traverse City Film Festival's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Traverse City Film Festival's tax-exempt status using EIN 203100410 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 Traverse City Film Festival demonstrates fluctuating financial health over the past decade. While the organization has historically managed significant revenues and expenses, recent filings show a concerning trend. In 2023, the organization reported expenses of $931,740 against revenues of $654,245, indicating a substantial operating deficit. This follows a similar pattern in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 where expenses consistently exceeded revenues. The organization's assets have also seen a decline from a peak of $3,910,085 in 2015 to $2,597,567 in 2023, though liabilities remain relatively low. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this area, contributing positively to transparency and efficiency.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the recurring operating deficits suggest that the organization may be struggling to cover its costs through its revenue streams, which could impact long-term sustainability. The significant drop in revenue from $1,720,537 in 2022 to $654,245 in 2023 is a major concern that warrants further investigation into its causes and the organization's plans to address it.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods is a positive indicator. The explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation is also a strong point for transparency regarding executive pay. However, without more granular expense data, a complete picture of spending efficiency is challenging to form. The organization's ability to maintain assets above liabilities, even with recent declines, provides some financial stability, but the recent revenue and expense trends are a critical area for improvement.

Is Traverse City Film Festival Legit?

Verdict: Traverse City Film Festival shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths