Quick charity verification for Westchester Library System (EIN: 131882114)
Verdict: Westchester Library System appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$7.1MRevenue
$7.3MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation may indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or through an affiliated entity, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
Strengths
Consistent financial reporting over 13 periods demonstrates strong transparency.
Stable revenue and expense patterns indicate sound financial management.
Growing asset base, reaching $7,497,810 in 2023, enhances long-term stability.
Zero reported officer compensation suggests a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Spending Breakdown
How Westchester Library System allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Westchester Library System
Is Westchester Library System a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Westchester Library System (EIN: 131882114) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Westchester Library System a good charity to donate to?
Westchester Library System has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $7.1M. Assets: $7.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Westchester Library System?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Westchester Library System is 131882114. 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 Westchester Library System spend its money?
Westchester Library System allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Westchester Library System's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Westchester Library System's tax-exempt status using EIN 131882114 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 Westchester Library System demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues and expenses generally balancing out over the past decade. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported revenues of $6,925,645 against expenses of $7,018,402, indicating a slight deficit. This trend of near break-even or minor deficits/surpluses is common for public service organizations. Their asset base has shown growth over time, reaching $7,497,810 in 2023, which is a positive indicator of long-term stability.
Spending efficiency appears to be well-managed, given the nature of a library system which typically has significant operational costs for facilities, collections, and staff. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries, which is a significant positive for spending efficiency and public trust. The organization's financial health appears stable, with sufficient assets to cover liabilities, although liabilities have been substantial in some years, such as $6,704,118 in 202012.
Transparency is high, as evidenced by the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods and the clear reporting of financial metrics. The absence of officer compensation is a notable transparency point, indicating that leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization operates with a volunteer or externally funded executive structure. Overall, the Westchester Library System appears to be a financially sound and transparent organization, effectively managing its resources to provide library services.