Quick charity verification for Utica University (EIN: 161476258)
Verdict: Utica University appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$101.3MRevenue
$133.5MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale and suggests a lack of transparency in this specific data point.
Operating deficit in the most recent filing (202305), where expenses ($105,687,698) significantly exceeded revenue ($89,786,192).
Strengths
Consistent high revenue generation, generally exceeding $100 million annually, indicating a stable operational scale.
Significant asset base of $133,465,875, providing financial stability.
Primary mission aligns with education (NTEE B420), suggesting a strong program focus.
Spending Breakdown
How Utica University 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 Utica University
Is Utica University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Utica University (EIN: 161476258) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Utica University a good charity to donate to?
Utica University has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $101.3M. Assets: $133.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Utica University?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Utica University is 161476258. 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 Utica University spend its money?
Utica University allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Utica University's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Utica University's tax-exempt status using EIN 161476258 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
Utica University demonstrates a consistent operational scale with annual revenues generally exceeding $100 million. While the organization's assets have shown growth over the past decade, reaching $133,465,875 in the latest filing, there have been fluctuations in financial performance. For instance, in the 202305 period, expenses of $105,687,698 exceeded revenues of $89,786,192, indicating an operating deficit for that year. This contrasts with periods like 202105 where revenues significantly outpaced expenses ($115,414,749 vs. $95,038,724).
The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue, potentially indicating that compensation for key executives is reported in a different section of the 990 or through a related organization, or that the data provided is incomplete regarding this specific metric. This lack of detail on executive compensation could be a point of concern for transparency. The organization's NTEE code B420 (Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools) suggests its primary focus is educational programs, which typically have high program spending ratios.