Quick charity verification for Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences (EIN: 16006001)
Verdict: Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$44.3MRevenue
$113.7MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low reported officer compensation (0%) across all filings, which may indicate compensation is reported under other categories or is genuinely pro-bono, requiring deeper scrutiny for full understanding of executive remuneration.
Strengths
Strong financial growth with revenue increasing from $11.6M in 2015 to $44.2M currently.
Consistent asset growth, more than doubling from $40.5M in 2015 to $113.6M.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue, indicating sound financial management and sustainability.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a high dedication of funds to mission-related activities.
Healthy financial reserves with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $104.5M assets vs. $21.5M liabilities in 2024).
Spending Breakdown
How Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences
Is Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences (EIN: 16006001) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences a good charity to donate to?
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $44.3M. Assets: $113.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences is 16006001. 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 Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences spend its money?
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's tax-exempt status using EIN 16006001 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
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission of ocean science research. Over the past several years, the organization has shown significant growth in both revenue and assets, with revenue increasing from $11.6 million in 2015 to over $44 million in the latest period, and assets growing from $40.5 million to $113.6 million. This growth indicates robust fundraising and investment strategies.
The organization consistently spends less than its revenue, leading to a healthy accumulation of assets. For instance, in 2024, revenue was $30.5 million against expenses of $19.5 million, and in 2023, revenue was $41.4 million against expenses of $18.5 million. This financial prudence allows for long-term stability and investment in its scientific programs. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency and a focus on directing funds towards the mission rather than executive pay, which is a significant positive indicator for spending efficiency and donor confidence.