Quick charity verification for Ukulele Festival Hawaii (EIN: 200748495)
Verdict: Ukulele Festival Hawaii shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$4KRevenue
$88KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and sharp decline in revenue from $103,462 in 2022 to $9,910 in 2023.
Consistent operating deficits in recent years, such as $26,319 in 2023 and $40,407 in 2020, where expenses exceeded revenue.
Declining asset base over the past several years, indicating a draw-down of reserves.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led and highly efficient leadership structure.
No reported liabilities across all available filings, demonstrating a debt-free operation.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), indicating strong transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Ukulele Festival Hawaii 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 Ukulele Festival Hawaii
Is Ukulele Festival Hawaii a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ukulele Festival Hawaii (EIN: 200748495) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Ukulele Festival Hawaii a good charity to donate to?
Ukulele Festival Hawaii has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $4K. Assets: $88K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ukulele Festival Hawaii?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ukulele Festival Hawaii is 200748495. 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 Ukulele Festival Hawaii spend its money?
Ukulele Festival Hawaii allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ukulele Festival Hawaii's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ukulele Festival Hawaii's tax-exempt status using EIN 200748495 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
Ukulele Festival Hawaii demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with recent years showing a significant decline in revenue. For instance, revenue dropped from $103,462 in 2022 to $9,910 in 2023, while expenses in 2023 ($36,229) significantly outpaced revenue, leading to a net loss. This trend raises concerns about the organization's sustainability if not addressed. Despite these financial fluctuations, the organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, indicating a lean operational structure and a commitment to not burdening the organization with debt or high executive salaries. The organization's assets have also seen a decline, from a high of $221,542 in 2015 to $123,915 in 2023, reflecting the overall financial challenges.
The organization's transparency is commendable given its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, providing a clear historical record of its financial activities. The absence of officer compensation is a strong indicator of volunteer-driven leadership, which can be a positive for donor confidence regarding how funds are utilized. However, the recent substantial operating deficits, such as the $26,319 deficit in 2023 (Expenses $36,229 - Revenue $9,910), suggest a need for strategic review of fundraising and expenditure management to ensure long-term viability.
While the organization's commitment to its mission is implied by its continued operation, the financial instability, particularly the sharp drop in revenue and consistent operating losses in recent years (e.g., $40,407 loss in 2020, $26,319 loss in 2023), warrants closer scrutiny. Donors should be aware of these trends and seek further information on how the organization plans to stabilize its finances and ensure its programs can continue effectively.