Quick charity verification for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (EIN: 202815645)
Verdict: Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$160KRevenue
$44KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Occasional annual deficits (e.g., $15,985 in 2023) could lead to asset depletion if persistent.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
No reported liabilities across all filings, suggesting strong financial management and no debt burden.
Stable revenue generation over several years, demonstrating consistent operational capacity.
Growing asset base over the long term, indicating increasing financial reserves.
Spending Breakdown
How Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 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: 202815645) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity a good charity to donate to?
Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $160K. Assets: $44K. 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 202815645. 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 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% 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 202815645 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 consistent financial activity, with revenues fluctuating between $115,014 and $203,206 over the past seven years. In the latest filing (202312), the organization reported $159,633 in revenue against $175,618 in expenses, indicating a slight deficit for the period. Assets have shown growth over time, from $17,599 in 2017 to $43,510 in 2023, with no reported liabilities, suggesting a stable, albeit modest, financial position. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.