Quick charity verification for Baxter Marion Water Association (EIN: 202718700)
Verdict: Baxter Marion Water Association shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$186KRevenue
$6.1MAssets
2Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue in all reported periods (e.g., $326,377 expenses vs. $174,488 revenue in 2023).
Declining total assets over time, from $7,358,136 in 2017 to $6,422,930 in 2023, likely due to deficit spending.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for administrative overhead.
Focus on a critical utility service (water association) as per NTEE code Y22.
Spending Breakdown
How Baxter Marion Water Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Baxter Marion Water Association
Is Baxter Marion Water Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Baxter Marion Water Association (EIN: 202718700) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Baxter Marion Water Association a good charity to donate to?
Baxter Marion Water Association has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $186K. Assets: $6.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Baxter Marion Water Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Baxter Marion Water Association is 202718700. 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 Baxter Marion Water Association spend its money?
Baxter Marion Water Association allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Baxter Marion Water Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Baxter Marion Water Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 202718700 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
Baxter Marion Water Association appears to be a utility-focused nonprofit, as indicated by its NTEE code Y22 (Utilities). The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for its primary purpose. However, a significant concern is the consistent deficit spending. For example, in 2023, expenses were $326,377 against revenues of $174,488, and this trend is visible in every reported period. This persistent operational deficit, while potentially covered by reserves or non-operating income not detailed here, leads to a gradual decline in assets, from $7,358,136 in 2017 to $6,422,930 in 2023. Further analysis would require understanding the nature of their expenses (program vs. administrative) and the source of funding for these deficits, as the current revenue does not cover operational costs.