Quick charity verification for Washington Library Association (EIN: 10473601)
Verdict: Washington Library Association appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$91KRevenue
$697KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Revenue volatility (e.g., $12,651 in 2022 vs. $104,544 in 2021)
Strengths
Consistent asset growth (from $367,029 in 2014 to $696,531 currently)
Zero officer compensation, maximizing program efficiency
Consistently low liabilities, indicating strong financial health
Frequent financial surpluses (e.g., $28,347 surplus in 2023)
Strong transparency with 13 years of IRS 990 filings
Spending Breakdown
How Washington Library Association 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 Washington Library Association
Is Washington Library Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Washington Library Association (EIN: 10473601) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Washington Library Association a good charity to donate to?
Washington Library Association has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $91K. Assets: $697K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Washington Library Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Washington Library Association is 10473601. 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 Washington Library Association spend its money?
Washington Library Association allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Washington Library Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Washington Library Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 10473601 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 Washington Library Association demonstrates consistent financial stability, with assets growing from $367,029 in 2014 to $696,531 currently. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in 2023 where revenue of $68,419 significantly exceeded expenses of $40,072. This trend of revenue exceeding expenses, with the exception of 2022, indicates sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. The organization's liabilities are consistently very low, often negligible, which is a strong indicator of financial health and low risk.
Spending efficiency appears high, particularly given the consistent surpluses and the fact that officer compensation is consistently reported as 0%. This suggests that the vast majority of funds are directed towards the organization's mission and operational costs rather than executive salaries. The absence of officer compensation also points to a volunteer-driven leadership model, which can be very efficient for smaller organizations. The organization's NTEE code B70Z (Libraries) suggests a focus on community resources, and the financial data supports a lean operational structure.
Transparency is strong, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings available, indicating consistent reporting. The detailed financial history allows for a clear understanding of revenue, expenses, and asset growth over time. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation enhances transparency by clearly showing how leadership is compensated (or not compensated). The low liabilities and consistent asset growth further contribute to a positive transparency profile, as there are no hidden debts or financial complexities.