Is Great Northwoods Community Foundation…

Quick charity verification for Great Northwoods Community Foundation (EIN: 20452547)

Spending Breakdown

How Great Northwoods Community Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

20%

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 Great Northwoods Community Foundation

Is Great Northwoods Community Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Great Northwoods Community Foundation (EIN: 20452547) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Great Northwoods Community Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Great Northwoods Community Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $50K. Assets: $71K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Great Northwoods Community Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Great Northwoods Community Foundation is 20452547. 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 Great Northwoods Community Foundation spend its money?

Great Northwoods Community Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 20% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Great Northwoods Community Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Great Northwoods Community Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 20452547 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

The Great Northwoods Community Foundation appears to be a small, community-focused organization with fluctuating financial activity. In the most recent period (202309), the foundation reported revenue of $40,004 against expenses of $51,446, indicating a deficit for the year. This follows a pattern of expenses sometimes exceeding revenue, as seen in 202209 where revenue was $50,006 and expenses were $48,404, and 202109 with revenue of $54,768 and expenses of $48,374. The organization's assets have also seen some fluctuation, from a high of $103,246 in 201512 to $72,372 in 202309, suggesting a relatively stable but not significantly growing asset base.

The foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for administrative overhead. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the absence of executive salaries. The organization's revenue has been inconsistent, with periods of very low activity (e.g., $7 in 201909) followed by more substantial, though still modest, income levels. This variability could pose challenges for long-term planning and consistent program delivery.

Overall, the Great Northwoods Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to volunteer leadership and appears to operate with minimal administrative burden in terms of executive pay. However, its financial health is characterized by modest and sometimes deficit-ridden operations, and its transparency regarding specific program versus administrative spending is limited by the available data. The organization's small scale and fluctuating revenue suggest it may rely heavily on specific grants or donations.

Is Great Northwoods Community Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Great Northwoods Community Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths