Quick charity verification for Utica Zoological Society (EIN: 160915407)
Verdict: Utica Zoological Society appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$2.9MRevenue
$6.6MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed officer compensation information (reported as 0% across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue, potentially obscuring actual compensation structures).
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $1.49M in 2014 to $3.88M in 2023.
Strong asset growth, from $1.68M in 2014 to $6.62M in 2023, indicating financial health and capacity.
Healthy surpluses, with revenue consistently exceeding expenses in recent years (e.g., $3.88M revenue vs. $3.00M expenses in 2023).
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management and solvency (e.g., $1.13M liabilities vs. $6.62M assets in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Utica Zoological Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
12%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
8%
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 Zoological Society
Is Utica Zoological Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Utica Zoological Society (EIN: 160915407) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Utica Zoological Society a good charity to donate to?
Utica Zoological Society has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $2.9M. Assets: $6.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Utica Zoological Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Utica Zoological Society is 160915407. 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 Zoological Society spend its money?
Utica Zoological Society allocates 80% to programs, 12% to administration, and 8% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Utica Zoological Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Utica Zoological Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 160915407 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 Utica Zoological Society demonstrates a strong and improving financial trajectory, with revenue consistently exceeding expenses in recent years. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $3,879,327 against expenses of $2,996,959, indicating a healthy surplus. This trend has allowed the organization to significantly grow its assets from $1,676,783 in 2014 to $6,618,872 in 2023, while maintaining manageable liabilities. The consistent growth in assets suggests effective financial management and reinvestment into the organization's mission.
The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses and asset growth. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the raw data, the overall financial health suggests that a significant portion of funds are likely directed towards its mission. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of its transparency and financial structure, indicating that top leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which could be a positive for donor perception.
Overall, the Utica Zoological Society exhibits sound financial health, with a clear pattern of growth and responsible management of resources. The consistent increase in assets and revenue, coupled with the lack of reported officer compensation, paints a picture of an organization focused on its mission and prudent in its financial operations. Further detailed expense breakdowns would enhance the transparency report, but based on the available data, the financial standing is strong.