Quick charity verification for Blue Waters Foundation Inc (EIN: 161643931)
Verdict: Blue Waters Foundation Inc shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$114KRevenue
$21.0MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Extremely volatile and unexplained revenue patterns, with a sudden $21 million spike in 2023 after years of negligible income.
Disproportionately low expenses ($561,282 in 2023) compared to the massive 2023 revenue ($21,479,901), indicating significant asset accumulation rather than immediate program spending.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown to assess program efficiency and administrative overhead.
Consistent reporting of zero officer compensation, which, while possible, can sometimes obscure how leadership is truly compensated.
Strengths
Significant growth in assets to over $22 million in 2023, providing a strong financial base.
How Blue Waters Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Blue Waters Foundation Inc
Is Blue Waters Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Blue Waters Foundation Inc (EIN: 161643931) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Blue Waters Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Blue Waters Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $114K. Assets: $21.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Blue Waters Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Blue Waters Foundation Inc is 161643931. 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 Blue Waters Foundation Inc spend its money?
Blue Waters Foundation Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Blue Waters Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Blue Waters Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161643931 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
Blue Waters Foundation Inc. exhibits highly unusual financial patterns, making a clear assessment of its financial health challenging. The organization reported a massive surge in revenue to $21,479,901 in 2023, a stark contrast to previous years where revenue was consistently negligible (e.g., $23 in 2022, $2 in 2021). Despite this revenue spike, expenses remained relatively low at $561,282 in 2023, suggesting a significant accumulation of assets rather than substantial program spending relative to its income. The organization's assets have grown dramatically, from $1,465,991 in 2022 to $22,255,248 in 2023, indicating a substantial increase in its financial reserves. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to assess spending efficiency, particularly the allocation between program services, administrative costs, and fundraising. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings suggests either a fully volunteer-run leadership or compensation being reported in a non-standard manner, which could impact transparency.