Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society shows consistent financial health with growing assets and no liabilities.
EIN: 10860544 · Bluffton, SC · NTEE: S41 · Updated: 2026-03-27
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $22K |
| Total Expenses | $17K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $15K |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society (EIN: 10860544) is a nonprofit organization based in Bluffton, SC, classified under NTEE code S41. The organization reported total revenue of $22K and total assets of $6K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -5.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $24K |
| Total Expenses | $17K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$7K |
| Total Assets | $15K |
| Net Assets | $15K |
| Operating Margin | 29.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society reported a surplus of $7K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 10.9 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2010–2023), Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +54.4% | +23.2% | +85.6% |
| 2022 | +13.7% | -15.9% | +29.1% |
| 2021 | -57.1% | -35.9% | -29.0% |
| 2020 | +52.9% | +3.8% | +259.3% |
| 2019 | -60.2% | -47.1% | -59.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society with a Mission Score of 85 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% 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 surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported at 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is positive for resource allocation.
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.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society:
- Consistent positive net income in recent years (e.g., $24,344 revenue vs. $17,109 expenses in 2023).
- Zero liabilities reported across all 14 filing periods, indicating strong financial management.
- Growing asset base, increasing from $8,347 in 2022 to $15,488 in 2023.
- 0% officer compensation, suggesting efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society
Is Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society (EIN: 10860544) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society spend its money?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society tax-deductible?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10860544). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society's spending goes to programs?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society is above average for NTEE category S41 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society located?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society is headquartered in Bluffton, South Carolina and files with the IRS under EIN 10860544. It is classified under NTEE code S41.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society have?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society 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 $22K in total revenue.
Is Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society financially stable?
Yes, the organization appears financially stable, consistently reporting positive net income in recent years (e.g., $24,344 revenue vs. $17,109 expenses in 2023) and maintaining zero liabilities across all reported periods.
How has the organization's asset base changed over time?
The organization's assets have shown growth, increasing from $8,347 in 2022 to $15,488 in 2023, indicating a strengthening financial position.
Does the organization pay its officers?
Based on the provided data, officer compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all 14 filings, suggesting officers are not compensated or are volunteers.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society's revenue has declined by 52.2%, moving from $51K to $24K. Total assets increased by 82% over the same period, from $9K to $15K. Total functional expenses fell by 66.8%, from $52K to $17K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society reported a surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $24K | $17K | $15K | $0 | — | — |
| 2022 | $16K | $14K | $8K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $14K | $17K | $6K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $32K | $26K | $9K | $0 | — | — |
| 2019 | $21K | $25K | $3K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $53K | $47K | $6K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $46K | $50K | $1 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $59K | $57K | $4K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $62K | $63K | $2K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $47K | $44K | $3K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $42K | $44K | $515 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $54K | $52K | $3K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $56K | $63K | $1K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $51K | $52K | $9K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $24K, expenses of $17K, and assets of $15K (revenue +54.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $16K, expenses of $14K, and assets of $8K (revenue +13.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $14K, expenses of $17K, and assets of $6K (revenue -57.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $32K, expenses of $26K, and assets of $9K (revenue +52.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $21K, expenses of $25K, and assets of $3K (revenue -60.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $53K, expenses of $47K, and assets of $6K (revenue +16.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $46K, expenses of $50K, and assets of $1 (revenue -22.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $59K, expenses of $57K, and assets of $4K (revenue -5.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $62K, expenses of $63K, and assets of $2K (revenue +33.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $47K, expenses of $44K, and assets of $3K (revenue +12.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $42K, expenses of $44K, and assets of $515 (revenue -22.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $54K, expenses of $52K, and assets of $3K (revenue -4.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $56K, expenses of $63K, and assets of $1K (revenue +10.2% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $51K, expenses of $52K, and assets of $9K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society 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.