Quick charity verification for Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc (EIN: 204143271)
Verdict: Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc shows mixed signals
60/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$2.9MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Persistent operating deficits (expenses significantly exceeding revenue in multiple periods, e.g., 202307 expenses $585,927 vs. revenue $93,759).
Declining asset base over time (from $3.7 million in 2015 to $2.9 million in 2023), indicating reliance on reserves.
Significant year-over-year fluctuations in revenue and expenses, making financial planning appear inconsistent.
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient executive overhead.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($2.8 million in 2023) despite operating deficits, providing a buffer.
Consistent filing history, demonstrating transparency in reporting to the IRS.
Spending Breakdown
How Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc
Is Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc (EIN: 204143271) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc is 204143271. 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 Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc spend its money?
Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204143271 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
Trek Scholarship Foundation Inc exhibits a concerning trend of declining financial health. In the latest filing (202307), the organization reported revenue of $93,759 against expenses of $585,927, indicating a significant operating deficit. This pattern of expenses consistently exceeding revenue is visible across multiple recent years, such as 202207 (revenue $178,076, expenses $297,703) and 202007 (revenue $45,687, expenses $173,617). While the organization maintains substantial assets ($2,927,510 in 202307), these assets have been steadily decreasing from a high of $3,776,612 in 201507, suggesting reliance on reserves to cover operational shortfalls. The consistent reporting of $0 in officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this specific area, which is a positive sign for transparency regarding executive pay. However, the overall financial sustainability is questionable given the persistent operating losses.