1888 Message Study Committee
1888 Message Study Committee maintains strong asset growth and zero officer compensation amidst fluctuating revenues.
EIN: 20417308 · Berrien Sprgs, MI · NTEE: A70Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $250K |
| Total Expenses | $225K |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $200,000 |
| Net Assets | $1.6M |
| Transparency Score | 95/100 |
Is 1888 Message Study Committee Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
1888 Message Study Committee directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About 1888 Message Study Committee
1888 Message Study Committee (EIN: 20417308) is a nonprofit organization based in Berrien Sprgs, MI, classified under NTEE code A70Z. The organization reported total revenue of $250K and total assets of $1.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of 1888 Message Study Committee's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
1888 Message Study Committee is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 37 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $206K |
| Total Expenses | $225K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-19,446 |
| Total Assets | $1.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $3K |
| Net Assets | $1.6M |
| Operating Margin | -9.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 84.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, 1888 Message Study Committee reported a deficit of $19K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 84.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2010–2023), 1888 Message Study Committee's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -55.5% | +5.7% | -2.1% |
| 2022 | +128.5% | +45.4% | +19.6% |
| 2021 | -22.0% | +18.2% | +4.4% |
| 2020 | -46.7% | -15.0% | +11.8% |
| 2019 | +97.4% | -9.7% | +41.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1989 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates 1888 Message Study Committee with a Mission Score of 95 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, 1888 Message Study Committee allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $19K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees receive salaries from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with over $200,000 in annual revenue and $1.5 million in assets.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of 1888 Message Study Committee's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant year-over-year revenue fluctuations, such as the drop from $462,152 in 2022 to $205,529 in 2023, could indicate reliance on inconsistent funding sources.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for 1888 Message Study Committee:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high dedication of funds to mission.
- Strong and consistent growth in assets, from $557,989 in 2015 to $1,574,116 in 2023, demonstrating excellent financial management.
- Very low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial stability and minimal debt burden.
- Long filing history (14 filings) demonstrates consistent transparency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about 1888 Message Study Committee
Is 1888 Message Study Committee a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, 1888 Message Study Committee (EIN: 20417308) some concerns. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does 1888 Message Study Committee spend its money?
1888 Message Study Committee directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to 1888 Message Study Committee tax-deductible?
1888 Message Study Committee is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20417308). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the 1888 Message Study Committee CEO make?
1888 Message Study Committee's highest-compensated officer earns $200,000 annually. The organization reported $250K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of 1888 Message Study Committee's spending goes to programs?
1888 Message Study Committee directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does 1888 Message Study Committee compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 95/100 (Excellent), 1888 Message Study Committee is above average for NTEE category A70Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is 1888 Message Study Committee located?
1888 Message Study Committee is headquartered in Berrien Sprgs, Michigan and files with the IRS under EIN 20417308. It is classified under NTEE code A70Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does 1888 Message Study Committee have?
1888 Message Study Committee has 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $250K in total revenue.
Is 1888 Message Study Committee a good charity?
Based on the available financial data, the 1888 Message Study Committee appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health with growing assets, minimal liabilities, and a consistent commitment to zero officer compensation, suggesting a high percentage of funds are directed towards its mission.
How does 1888 Message Study Committee manage its expenses?
The organization manages its expenses effectively, as evidenced by its consistent asset growth. For example, in 2023, expenses were $224,975 against revenues of $205,529, resulting in a slight deficit for the year, but overall, assets have grown from $557,989 in 2015 to $1,574,116 in 2023, indicating long-term financial prudence.
What is the trend in 1888 Message Study Committee's revenue?
The organization's revenue has shown significant fluctuations over the years, ranging from a low of $100,087 in 2014 to a high of $485,848 in 2019. More recently, revenue was $462,152 in 2022 and $205,529 in 2023, indicating variability in its funding sources.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for 1888 Message Study Committee showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), 1888 Message Study Committee's revenue has grown by 60.1%, moving from $128K to $206K. Total assets increased by 113.4% over the same period, from $738K to $1.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 31.1%, from $172K to $225K. In its most recent filing year (2023), 1888 Message Study Committee reported a deficit of $19K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $3K in liabilities against $1.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.2%), resulting in net assets of $1.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $206K | $225K | $1.6M | $3K | — | — |
| 2022 | $462K | $213K | $1.6M | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $202K | $146K | $1.3M | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $259K | $124K | $1.3M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $486K | $146K | $1.2M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $246K | $161K | $817K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $307K | $262K | $731K | $5K | — | — |
| 2016 | $383K | $251K | $686K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $206K | $246K | $558K | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $100K | $209K | $902K | $-11,308 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $173K | $133K | $1.0M | $-8,642 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $297K | $103K | $970K | $12K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $135K | $98K | $782K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $128K | $172K | $738K | $-12,928 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $206K, expenses of $225K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -55.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $462K, expenses of $213K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +128.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $202K, expenses of $146K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -22.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $259K, expenses of $124K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -46.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $486K, expenses of $146K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +97.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $246K, expenses of $161K, and assets of $817K (revenue -19.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $307K, expenses of $262K, and assets of $731K (revenue -19.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $383K, expenses of $251K, and assets of $686K (revenue +86.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $206K, expenses of $246K, and assets of $558K (revenue +105.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $100K, expenses of $209K, and assets of $902K (revenue -42.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $173K, expenses of $133K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -41.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $297K, expenses of $103K, and assets of $970K (revenue +119.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $135K, expenses of $98K, and assets of $782K (revenue +5.5% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $128K, expenses of $172K, and assets of $738K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for 1888 Message Study Committee:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for 1888 Message Study Committee is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.