Quick charity verification for Grow Your Own Illinois (EIN: 208324406)
Verdict: Grow Your Own Illinois appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$6.9MRevenue
$1.7MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low or zero reported officer compensation may indicate compensation is reported in other categories or a reliance on unpaid leadership, which could pose sustainability questions for an organization of this size.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over a decade, from $412,527 in 201312 to $3,410,743 in 202306.
Efficient spending with expenses closely matching revenue (e.g., $3,328,449 expenses vs. $3,410,743 revenue in 202306).
Strong asset growth, increasing from $40,240 in 201312 to $1,120,232 in 202306.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial management.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting high transparency or volunteer leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How Grow Your Own Illinois allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Grow Your Own Illinois
Is Grow Your Own Illinois a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Grow Your Own Illinois (EIN: 208324406) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Grow Your Own Illinois a good charity to donate to?
Grow Your Own Illinois has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $6.9M. Assets: $1.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Grow Your Own Illinois?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Grow Your Own Illinois is 208324406. 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 Grow Your Own Illinois spend its money?
Grow Your Own Illinois allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Grow Your Own Illinois's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Grow Your Own Illinois's tax-exempt status using EIN 208324406 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
Grow Your Own Illinois demonstrates a generally healthy financial trajectory, with consistent revenue growth over the past decade, culminating in $3,410,743 in revenue for the 202306 period. The organization consistently spends close to its revenue, indicating active program delivery rather than significant accumulation of unrestricted funds. For instance, in 202306, expenses were $3,328,449 against $3,410,743 in revenue, showing efficient utilization of incoming funds. The organization's assets have also grown substantially, from $40,240 in 201312 to $1,120,232 in 202306, suggesting increasing capacity and stability. Liabilities remain a relatively small portion of assets, indicating good financial management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission.