Quick charity verification for Zion Christian Church Foundation (EIN: 203716919)
Verdict: Zion Christian Church Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$247KRevenue
$6.8MAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant deficit spending (e.g., $574,040 expenses vs. $247,153 revenue in 2019).
Steady decline in total assets over time, from $9,932,640 in 2012 to $6,814,340 in 2019.
Liabilities have remained relatively high and stable despite declining assets, indicating potential financial strain.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds regarding executive pay.
Long filing history (9 filings) suggests consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Spending Breakdown
How Zion Christian Church Foundation 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 Zion Christian Church Foundation
Is Zion Christian Church Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Zion Christian Church Foundation (EIN: 203716919) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Zion Christian Church Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Zion Christian Church Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $247K. Assets: $6.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Zion Christian Church Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Zion Christian Church Foundation is 203716919. 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 Zion Christian Church Foundation spend its money?
Zion Christian Church Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Zion Christian Church Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Zion Christian Church Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203716919 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 Zion Christian Church Foundation exhibits a consistent pattern of spending significantly more than its revenue, as evidenced by its 2019 expenses of $574,040 against revenues of $247,153. This trend has been ongoing for at least the past eight years, leading to a steady decline in assets from $9,932,640 in 2012 to $6,814,340 in 2019. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation, which suggests good stewardship in that area, the persistent deficit spending raises concerns about long-term financial sustainability and the source of funds covering these deficits. The NTEE code X11 (Religious Organizations) often implies a different operational model than other nonprofits, but the financial data still points to a reliance on drawing down assets or other non-revenue funding sources to cover operational costs.
The foundation's financial health appears to be in a state of gradual decline, with assets decreasing by over $3 million since 2012. The consistent negative net income suggests that the organization is either liquidating assets to cover expenses or relying on significant non-operating income not reflected in the 'Revenue' figures provided. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to assess spending efficiency beyond the overall deficit. The lack of officer compensation is a positive indicator of transparency regarding executive pay, but the broader financial picture warrants closer examination to understand how the organization sustains its operations given its revenue-expense imbalance.