Is Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc (EIN: 10760544)
Verdict: Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$39KRevenue
$583KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Increasing liabilities without clear explanation in provided data (from $0 in 2017 to $385,924 in 2023)
Expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020)
Strengths
100% volunteer leadership (0% officer compensation reported across all filings)
Significant asset growth over the past decade (from $145,724 in 2014 to $650,461 in 2023)
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) demonstrating transparency
Strong program focus due to lack of executive salaries
Spending Breakdown
How Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc
Is Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc (EIN: 10760544) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc a good charity to donate to?
Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $39K. Assets: $583K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc is 10760544. 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 Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc spend its money?
Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 10760544 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 Waterfront Volunteer Fire Department Inc. demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission as evidenced by its financial filings. While revenue and expenses fluctuate year-to-year, the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating that its leadership is entirely volunteer-based, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and efficiency. The organization's assets have shown significant growth over the past decade, from $145,724 in 2014 to $650,461 in 2023, suggesting effective asset management and potentially investment in equipment or facilities. However, liabilities have also increased substantially, reaching $385,924 in 2023, which warrants closer examination to understand the nature of these obligations.
Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. In several years, expenses have exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 ($115,331 expenses vs. $99,762 revenue) and 2022 ($52,514 expenses vs. $38,371 revenue), indicating reliance on reserves or prior year surpluses. Conversely, some years show healthy surpluses, like 2019 ($135,027 revenue vs. $80,633 expenses) and 2015 ($177,752 revenue vs. $48,911 expenses). The absence of reported officer compensation is a key indicator of high program focus, as all funds are presumably directed towards operational costs and services rather than executive salaries. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency.
Overall, the organization appears to be financially stable with growing assets, though it experiences periods where expenses outpace revenue. Its volunteer leadership structure is a significant strength, maximizing the impact of donor contributions. Further analysis of the nature of its liabilities would provide a more complete picture of its financial health.