Quick charity verification for United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County (EIN: 160743969)
Verdict: United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$11.0MRevenue
$28.2MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual executive pay without further detail.
Strengths
Strong asset base of $29.4 million provides financial stability.
Consistent revenue generation, generally above $14 million annually.
Relatively stable financial performance over the past decade, indicating sound management.
Decreasing liabilities in the most recent filing (202303) compared to previous years.
Spending Breakdown
How United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County
Is United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County (EIN: 160743969) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County a good charity to donate to?
United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $11.0M. Assets: $28.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County is 160743969. 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 United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County spend its money?
United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County's tax-exempt status?
You can verify United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County's tax-exempt status using EIN 160743969 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
United Way Of Buffalo And Erie County demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $14-18 million over the past five years. While the organization reported a slight deficit in the most recent period (202303) with expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $218,560, this is not uncommon for nonprofits and their asset base of $29.4 million provides a strong buffer. The organization's assets have remained relatively stable, indicating sound financial management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests that executive salaries are not reported in this section, which could be a point for further inquiry regarding transparency, or it could indicate that compensation is reported under other expense categories or that the organization relies heavily on volunteer leadership at the highest level. Overall, the organization appears financially stable with a robust asset base.