Quick charity verification for Energy Outwest (EIN: 208563814)
Verdict: Energy Outwest appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$1.6MRevenue
$1.7MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial planning and stability uncertain (e.g., $1.2M in 2022 vs. $18K in 2023).
Significant operating deficit in 2023 ($18,017 revenue vs. $103,517 expenses).
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, hindering efficiency assessment.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating resources are not diverted to executive salaries.
Generally low liabilities across most filing periods, suggesting good debt management.
Assets have shown a general upward trend over the years, reaching $1,195,355 in 2023.
Spending Breakdown
How Energy Outwest allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Energy Outwest
Is Energy Outwest a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Energy Outwest (EIN: 208563814) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Energy Outwest a good charity to donate to?
Energy Outwest has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $1.6M. Assets: $1.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Energy Outwest?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Energy Outwest is 208563814. 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 Energy Outwest spend its money?
Energy Outwest allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Energy Outwest's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Energy Outwest's tax-exempt status using EIN 208563814 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
Energy Outwest exhibits inconsistent financial activity, with revenue fluctuating significantly year-over-year. For example, revenue jumped from $75,052 in 2021 to $1,230,530 in 2022, then dropped to $18,017 in 2023. This volatility makes it challenging to assess long-term financial stability. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation directly to mission-related activities. However, the 2023 filing shows expenses of $103,517 against only $18,017 in revenue, indicating a significant operating deficit for that period. While assets have generally grown over time, reaching $1,195,355 in 2023, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities in many periods suggests good financial management in terms of debt.