Is Hartwick College Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operating deficits, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue (e.g., $95M expenses vs. $82M revenue in 2023).
Significant decline in total assets over the past decade, from $160,041,840 in 2015 to $114,215,151 in 2023.
Unusual reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all filings, raising transparency concerns regarding executive pay.
Increasing liabilities, reaching $47,486,204 in 2023, which, combined with declining assets, could indicate financial strain.

Spending Breakdown

How Hartwick College allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

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 Hartwick College

Is Hartwick College a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hartwick College (EIN: 150533561) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Hartwick College a good charity to donate to?

Hartwick College has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $104.7M. Assets: $105.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Hartwick College?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hartwick College is 150533561. 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 Hartwick College spend its money?

Hartwick College allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Hartwick College's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Hartwick College's tax-exempt status using EIN 150533561 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

Hartwick College demonstrates a consistent pattern of operating deficits over the past several years, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, expenses were $95,291,688 against revenues of $82,877,184, indicating a significant deficit. This trend is visible across most recent filings, suggesting a potential challenge in achieving financial sustainability. While asset values have fluctuated, they have generally declined from a high of $160,041,840 in 2015 to $114,215,151 in 2023, which could be a concern if not offset by strategic investments or future revenue growth. The organization's NTEE code B420 indicates it is a college or university, and the financial data reflects the scale of operations typical for such an institution.

The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue, potentially indicating that executive compensation is reported under different categories or that the data provided is incomplete regarding this specific metric. This lack of clarity on executive compensation could be a transparency concern. The organization's liabilities have also shown an increasing trend in recent years, reaching $47,486,204 in 2023, which, when viewed against declining assets, warrants closer examination. Overall, while the organization is transparent in its filing history, the financial health shows signs of strain due to persistent operating deficits and declining asset base.

Verdict: Hartwick College shows mixed signals