Quick charity verification for Wagner College (EIN: 135604699)
Verdict: Wagner College appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$157.1MRevenue
$277.7MAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (2023: -$2.25M, 2022: -$2.15M)
Significant increase in liabilities from $77.6M in 2021 to $149.5M in 2023
Unusual reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all filings, suggesting potential lack of transparency or incomplete data in this specific field.
Strengths
Consistent growth in total assets over the past decade, reaching $279M in 2023.
Stable revenue generation, generally exceeding $115M annually in recent years.
Spending Breakdown
How Wagner College 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 Wagner College
Is Wagner College a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wagner College (EIN: 135604699) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Wagner College a good charity to donate to?
Wagner College has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $157.1M. Assets: $277.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Wagner College?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wagner College is 135604699. 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 Wagner College spend its money?
Wagner College allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Wagner College's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Wagner College's tax-exempt status using EIN 135604699 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
Wagner College demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently growing over the past decade, reaching $279,087,461 in 2023. However, the organization has experienced operating deficits in the most recent two fiscal periods, with expenses exceeding revenue by $2,253,180 in 2023 and $2,149,908 in 2022. This trend warrants close monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability. The significant increase in liabilities from $77,619,093 in 2021 to $149,509,330 in 2023 also indicates a substantial change in the college's financial structure, which could impact future financial flexibility. The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings suggests that executive compensation is either not reported in this section or is indeed zero, which would be unusual for an institution of this size and requires further investigation into other parts of the 990 for clarity on executive pay.