Quick charity verification for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc (EIN: 160911204)
Verdict: Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$10.8MRevenue
$34.1MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operating deficits (e.g., $1,713,222 in 202312, $2,858,492 in 202212)
Significant decline in total assets over the past decade (from $49.5M in 2015 to $36M in 2023)
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency or volunteer leadership
Substantial asset base ($35,989,502 in 202312) providing financial stability
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating minimal debt burden
Clear alignment of NTEE code (D500 - Zoos & Aquariums) with organizational name and mission
Spending Breakdown
How Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc
Is Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc (EIN: 160911204) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc a good charity to donate to?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $10.8M. Assets: $34.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc is 160911204. 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 Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc spend its money?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160911204 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 Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc. demonstrates a consistent operational presence with annual revenues generally exceeding $10 million in recent years, though the latest filing (202312) shows expenses ($12,560,378) exceeding revenue ($10,847,156), indicating an operating deficit. This trend of expenses outpacing revenue is also visible in 202212 and 202012, suggesting a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. While the organization maintains substantial assets ($35,989,502 in 202312), there has been a notable decline from a peak of $49,499,561 in 201512, which warrants attention. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries.
The organization's financial health appears stable in terms of asset base, but the recurring operating deficits could erode reserves over time if not addressed. The low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $1,439,860 liabilities vs. $35,989,502 assets in 202312) suggest a healthy balance sheet with minimal debt burden. The NTEE code D500 (Zoos & Aquariums) aligns with their name, indicating a clear programmatic focus. The absence of reported officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and efficiency, as it implies that leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, or that the organization prioritizes program spending over high executive salaries.