Is Earth Share Gardens Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Earth Share Gardens allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Earth Share Gardens

Is Earth Share Gardens a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Earth Share Gardens (EIN: 200101826) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Earth Share Gardens a good charity to donate to?

Earth Share Gardens has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $12K. Assets: $5K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Earth Share Gardens?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Earth Share Gardens is 200101826. 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 Earth Share Gardens spend its money?

Earth Share Gardens allocates 85% to programs, 15% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Earth Share Gardens's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Earth Share Gardens's tax-exempt status using EIN 200101826 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

Earth Share Gardens operates on a very small scale, with annual revenues consistently below $27,000 over the past decade, and often below $17,000. The organization's financial health shows some volatility; for instance, in 2023, expenses ($13,891) significantly outstripped revenue ($9,379), leading to a decrease in assets from $6,197 in 2022 to $1,685. While the organization generally maintains positive assets, there was a negative asset balance in 2020, indicating potential financial strain in certain periods. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven model, which can be a strength in terms of minimizing administrative overhead.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not typically required for organizations of this size. However, the consistent absence of officer compensation indicates that a significant portion of funds, after covering operational costs, likely goes directly to program activities. The organization's small asset base and fluctuating revenue streams suggest a lean operation, highly dependent on annual fundraising efforts. 

Transparency appears adequate for an organization of this size, with consistent IRS 990 filings. The public availability of these filings allows for basic financial oversight, and the clear reporting of zero liabilities across all periods is a positive indicator of financial management.

Verdict: Earth Share Gardens appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths