Is Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara Legit?

Quick charity verification for Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara (EIN: 160743231)

Verdict: Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara appears trustworthy

78/100Mission Score
$31.6MRevenue
$60.7MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara

Is Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara (EIN: 160743231) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 78/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara a good charity to donate to?

Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara has a Mission Score of 78/100. Revenue: $31.6M. Assets: $60.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara is 160743231. 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 Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara spend its money?

Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara's tax-exempt status using EIN 160743231 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 Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities over the past decade. While revenue has fluctuated, reaching a high of $33,352,380 in 2017 and a low of $17,235,015 in 2020, the organization has managed its expenses, often operating with a surplus, such as in 2022 where revenue of $28,806,212 significantly outpaced expenses of $21,730,442. However, there have been periods of deficit spending, notably in 2023 where expenses ($26,810,329) exceeded revenue ($26,112,941). The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable, though specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data. The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of their transparency, indicating that executive compensation is either not reported in this field or is genuinely zero, which would be highly unusual for an organization of this size. Further investigation into their full 990 forms would be necessary to understand the true compensation structure and spending allocation. Overall, the YMCA Buffalo Niagara appears to be a financially sound organization with a long history of operations. Their asset base of over $60 million in recent years provides a strong foundation. The lack of reported officer compensation in the provided data is a point that warrants further scrutiny for a complete transparency assessment.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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