Quick charity verification for Cascade Wine Country (EIN: 161652865)
Verdict: Cascade Wine Country appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$496KRevenue
$312KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Inconsistent revenue generation with significant year-over-year drops (e.g., $1,180,367 in 2019 to $430,877 in 2023).
Periods of deficit spending where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2023: Expenses $515,359 vs. Revenue $430,877; 2020: Expenses $420,313 vs. Revenue $299,443).
Fluctuating asset base, indicating potential challenges in building consistent financial reserves.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported years, demonstrating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay.
Regular and consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 13 periods, indicating good compliance and transparency.
Ability to generate significant revenue in peak years (e.g., over $1 million in 2018 and 2019).
Spending Breakdown
How Cascade Wine Country allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Cascade Wine Country
Is Cascade Wine Country a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cascade Wine Country (EIN: 161652865) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Cascade Wine Country a good charity to donate to?
Cascade Wine Country has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $496K. Assets: $312K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cascade Wine Country?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cascade Wine Country is 161652865. 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 Cascade Wine Country spend its money?
Cascade Wine Country allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cascade Wine Country's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cascade Wine Country's tax-exempt status using EIN 161652865 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
Cascade Wine Country demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with significant swings in revenue and expenses. For instance, revenue peaked at $1,180,367 in 2019 but dropped to $430,877 in 2023. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, such as in 2023 where expenses ($515,359) exceeded revenue ($430,877), and in 2020 where expenses ($420,313) significantly outpaced revenue ($299,443). This suggests a need for more consistent financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
While the lack of officer compensation is positive, the available data does not provide a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which limits a full assessment of spending efficiency. The organization's assets have also varied considerably, from a low of $1,730 in 2015 to a high of $426,778 in 2019, and currently stand at $353,136 in 2023. This volatility, coupled with occasional deficit spending, indicates that while the organization is transparent regarding executive pay, a deeper dive into expense allocation would be beneficial for a complete understanding of its financial health and spending efficiency. The consistent filing of 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance.