Quick charity verification for Bear Creek Foundation Inc (EIN: 208519595)
Verdict: Bear Creek Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.4MRevenue
$34.9MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
No reported officer compensation for an organization with over $35 million in assets, which is unusual and could warrant further investigation into leadership structure and compensation practices.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in all reported periods (e.g., $1,587,238 revenue vs. $1,335,965 expenses in 2023).
Significant and steady asset growth, from $10.8 million in 2014 to $35 million in 2023, indicating strong financial management and capacity building.
Regular and consistent IRS 990 filings over 13 periods, demonstrating commitment to transparency and compliance.
Low apparent administrative overhead due to no reported officer compensation, potentially allowing more funds for programs.
Spending Breakdown
How Bear Creek Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Bear Creek Foundation Inc
Is Bear Creek Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bear Creek Foundation Inc (EIN: 208519595) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Bear Creek Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Bear Creek Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.4M. Assets: $34.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bear Creek Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bear Creek Foundation Inc is 208519595. 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 Bear Creek Foundation Inc spend its money?
Bear Creek Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bear Creek Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bear Creek Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208519595 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
Bear Creek Foundation Inc demonstrates consistent financial health with a steady increase in assets over the past decade, growing from $10.8 million in 2014 to over $35 million in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in 2023 where revenue of $1,587,238 exceeded expenses of $1,335,965. This indicates sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. The foundation's liabilities have also grown in proportion to its assets, suggesting potential for significant capital projects or investments.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, the consistent operational surplus across multiple years suggests that the organization is not overspending relative to its income. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings is a notable aspect of its financial structure, potentially indicating a volunteer-led or very lean executive team, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods is a strong indicator of compliance and public accountability. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially efficient, could also warrant further inquiry into how leadership is structured and compensated, if at all, to fully understand the organization's operational model. Overall, the foundation appears financially stable and committed to regular public disclosure.