Is Great Waters Music Festival Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Great Waters Music Festival Inc (EIN: 20488006)

Verdict: Great Waters Music Festival Inc appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score
$883KRevenue
$438KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Great Waters Music Festival Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Great Waters Music Festival Inc

Is Great Waters Music Festival Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Great Waters Music Festival Inc (EIN: 20488006) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Great Waters Music Festival Inc a good charity to donate to?

Great Waters Music Festival Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $883K. Assets: $438K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Great Waters Music Festival Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Great Waters Music Festival Inc is 20488006. 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 Waters Music Festival Inc spend its money?

Great Waters Music Festival Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Great Waters Music Festival Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Great Waters Music Festival Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 20488006 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

Great Waters Music Festival Inc. demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past several years. While the organization reported a strong revenue of $905,916 in 2021, it has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 ($866,766 expenses vs. $854,855 revenue) and 2022 ($847,211 expenses vs. $644,698 revenue). This indicates a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability, especially given the recent trend of operating deficits. The organization's assets have also shown variability, peaking at $768,162 in 2021 and decreasing to $662,678 in 2023, while liabilities have seen a significant increase from $15,000 in 2022 to $162,023 in 2023, which warrants further investigation. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a positive indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. However, without detailed expense breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising costs, a complete assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's NTEE code (A68 - Performing Arts) suggests a focus on cultural enrichment, and the financial data indicates a substantial scale of operations for a regional music festival. Further transparency on how the $866,766 in expenses in 2023 was allocated would enhance public trust and allow for a more precise evaluation of its programmatic impact and efficiency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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