Quick charity verification for Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple (EIN: 20638925)
Verdict: Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$201KRevenue
$588KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided data, making precise efficiency analysis difficult.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $12,530 in 2017 to $631,839 in 2023, indicating financial stability and growth.
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, demonstrating highly efficient use of funds and volunteer leadership.
Low to no liabilities reported in most years, suggesting sound financial management and minimal debt.
Positive net income in most years (e.g., $17,898 in 2023, $440,673 in 2022), contributing to asset accumulation.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple 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 Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple
Is Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple (EIN: 20638925) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple a good charity to donate to?
Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $201K. Assets: $588K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple is 20638925. 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 Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple spend its money?
Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple's tax-exempt status using EIN 20638925 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
Watlao Thammajadi Buddhist Temple demonstrates a generally healthy financial position with consistent growth in assets over the past several years, from $12,530 in 2017 to $631,839 in 2023. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership structure which is a positive sign for resource allocation directly to its mission. While revenue has fluctuated, with a notable spike to $539,594 in 2022, the organization has maintained positive net assets and low to no liabilities, suggesting sound financial management.
The spending efficiency appears strong, especially given the zero officer compensation. With total expenses of $176,441 against revenue of $194,339 in 2023, the organization is operating within its means. The absence of reported liabilities in most years further reinforces a conservative and stable financial approach. The significant increase in assets over time, particularly between 2021 and 2022 (from $172,754 to $616,777), suggests successful fundraising or significant non-cash contributions, which would be worth investigating further for a complete picture of their financial activities.
Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as none is reported. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over six periods indicates adherence to regulatory requirements. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across these categories is challenging. The overall financial trajectory points to a well-managed and growing organization, effectively utilizing its resources for its stated purpose.