Is Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity Legit? —…

Red Flags

Significant increase in liabilities from $60,224 in 202005 to $1,252,880 in 202305 without clear explanation.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in summary data.
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or a lack of transparency in this specific line item.

Strengths

Consistent revenue generation, generally maintaining or growing revenue over the past decade.
Significant growth in assets, more than doubling from $1,102,486 in 202005 to $2,736,822 in 202305.
Positive net income in the most recent filing (202305), with revenues exceeding expenses by over $330,000.
Stable financial operations with revenues consistently covering expenses in most years.

Spending Breakdown

How Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity

Is Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (EIN: 131496610) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity a good charity to donate to?

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $2.6M. Assets: $2.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity is 131496610. 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 Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity spend its money?

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity's tax-exempt status using EIN 131496610 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

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity demonstrates generally stable financial health over the past decade, with revenues consistently around $2.5 million to $2.9 million. In the most recent filing (202305), the organization reported revenues of $2,944,254 against expenses of $2,608,316, indicating a surplus. Assets have shown significant growth, more than doubling from $1,102,486 in 202005 to $2,736,822 in 202305, which is a positive trend. However, liabilities have also increased substantially, from $60,224 in 202005 to $1,252,880 in 202305, which warrants closer examination to understand the nature of this increase and its impact on long-term financial stability.

The organization's spending efficiency cannot be fully assessed without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive indicator for efficiency. The lack of specific NTEE code or detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of program focus and spending efficiency. Transparency is moderate; while financial figures are available, the absence of detailed expense breakdowns for program vs. overhead limits a deeper analysis of how funds are utilized.

Is Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity Legit?

Verdict: Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity shows mixed signals