Quick charity verification for Bookworm Gardens (EIN: 202129596)
Verdict: Bookworm Gardens appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.5MRevenue
$4.5MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low liabilities relative to assets, which could indicate conservative financial practices but also potentially missed opportunities for strategic leverage.
Zero reported officer compensation for an organization of this size is highly unusual and might warrant further inquiry into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $437,736 in 2014 to $1,550,727 in 2023.
Healthy asset growth, from $2.5 million in 2014 to over $4.1 million in 2023.
Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue consistently exceeding expenses.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Low liabilities, suggesting financial stability and minimal debt burden.
Spending Breakdown
How Bookworm Gardens allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Bookworm Gardens
Is Bookworm Gardens a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bookworm Gardens (EIN: 202129596) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Bookworm Gardens a good charity to donate to?
Bookworm Gardens has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.5M. Assets: $4.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bookworm Gardens?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bookworm Gardens is 202129596. 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 Bookworm Gardens spend its money?
Bookworm Gardens allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bookworm Gardens's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bookworm Gardens's tax-exempt status using EIN 202129596 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
Bookworm Gardens demonstrates strong financial health and consistent growth over the past decade. The organization has consistently generated more revenue than expenses, leading to a steady increase in assets from $2.5 million in 2014 to over $4.1 million in 2023. This indicates effective financial management and a healthy reserve. The latest filing shows revenue of $1,550,727 against expenses of $1,116,160, resulting in a significant surplus.
The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, with a substantial portion of expenses likely directed towards program services, given the consistent surpluses and asset growth. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing resources towards the mission rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances public trust and suggests a volunteer-driven or very lean administrative structure at the leadership level.
Overall, Bookworm Gardens exhibits a high degree of financial transparency, particularly through its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the clear financial trends. The lack of officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency and efficiency, suggesting that the organization prioritizes its mission and prudent use of funds. The organization's financial trajectory reflects a well-managed and growing nonprofit.