Quick charity verification for Hawaii Seed (EIN: 203581406)
Verdict: Hawaii Seed appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$50KRevenue
$112KAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Inconsistent revenue generation leading to operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 202306 and 202206).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency and mission focus.
Zero reported liabilities across all filings, demonstrating strong financial management and debt avoidance.
Growing asset base, reaching $172,059 in 202306, providing some financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How Hawaii Seed allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Hawaii Seed
Is Hawaii Seed a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hawaii Seed (EIN: 203581406) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Hawaii Seed a good charity to donate to?
Hawaii Seed has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $50K. Assets: $112K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hawaii Seed?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hawaii Seed is 203581406. 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 Hawaii Seed spend its money?
Hawaii Seed allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hawaii Seed's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hawaii Seed's tax-exempt status using EIN 203581406 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
Hawaii Seed demonstrates a fluctuating financial history with periods of both surplus and deficit. In the most recent filing (202306), the organization reported expenses of $87,309 against revenue of $70,023, indicating a deficit for that period. This follows a similar trend in 202206 where expenses ($46,703) exceeded revenue ($23,746). However, the organization had a significant surplus in 202106, with revenue of $112,407 against expenses of $47,801. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities across all recent filings, which is a positive indicator of financial stability and low debt burden. Their assets have also shown growth, reaching $172,059 in 202306 from $72,601 in 202006, suggesting some capacity building despite operational fluctuations. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries, enhancing their transparency and efficiency profile.
Given the available data, Hawaii Seed appears to be a lean organization with a strong focus on program delivery, as evidenced by the absence of officer compensation. While revenue and expenses have varied significantly year-to-year, the organization has maintained a healthy asset base and no reported liabilities. This suggests prudent financial management in terms of debt avoidance. The transparency is high due to the clear reporting of financial figures and the lack of executive compensation, which often raises questions in smaller nonprofits. The challenge for Hawaii Seed appears to be consistent revenue generation to cover fluctuating operational costs, as seen in the deficits of 202306 and 202206.