Quick charity verification for West Michigan Sports Commission (EIN: 208427511)
Verdict: West Michigan Sports Commission appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$6.5MRevenue
$17.6MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low reported expenses relative to revenue in 202312 ($2.29M expenses vs $7.63M revenue) could warrant further investigation into how the surplus is being utilized or if certain expenses are categorized differently.
Consistent 0% officer compensation might indicate compensation is reported under different categories or that the organization relies heavily on volunteer leadership, which, while positive, is uncommon for an organization of this scale and could benefit from clarification for full transparency.
Strengths
Significant revenue growth, especially from 202012 to 202312, demonstrating increasing support and operational capacity.
Substantial asset growth, indicating strong financial management and long-term stability.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a high dedication of funds to mission-related activities.
Positive net income in most recent periods, particularly a large surplus in 202312, allowing for reinvestment or reserve building.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), indicating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How West Michigan Sports Commission 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 West Michigan Sports Commission
Is West Michigan Sports Commission a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, West Michigan Sports Commission (EIN: 208427511) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is West Michigan Sports Commission a good charity to donate to?
West Michigan Sports Commission has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $6.5M. Assets: $17.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for West Michigan Sports Commission?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for West Michigan Sports Commission is 208427511. 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 West Michigan Sports Commission spend its money?
West Michigan Sports Commission allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify West Michigan Sports Commission's tax-exempt status?
You can verify West Michigan Sports Commission's tax-exempt status using EIN 208427511 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 West Michigan Sports Commission demonstrates strong financial health, particularly in its most recent filing period (202312) where it reported revenue of $7,630,774 against expenses of $2,293,133, indicating a significant surplus. This trend of robust revenue growth is notable, with revenue increasing from $1,086,616 in 202012 to over $7.6 million in 202312. The organization's assets have also grown substantially, from $7,458,234 in 202012 to $14,297,930 in 202312, suggesting effective asset management and financial stability.
While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall expense ratios relative to revenue in recent years suggest efficient operations, especially in 202312 where expenses were less than a third of revenue. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive sign for donor confidence and resource allocation. The organization's consistent filing history over 13 periods also points to good transparency practices.