Quick charity verification for Hawaii Wildlife Center (EIN: 201489691)
Verdict: Hawaii Wildlife Center appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.8MRevenue
$2.5MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
No reported officer compensation could indicate compensation is hidden in other categories or that the organization is heavily reliant on unpaid leadership, which might pose sustainability risks in the long term if not properly managed.
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth, increasing from $230,478 in 2014 to $1,570,687 in 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation across all 14 filings, indicating a strong commitment to program spending.
Healthy asset growth from $1,799,582 in 2014 to $2,442,242 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting prudent financial management.
Consistent surplus generation in recent years (e.g., $269,749 in 2023) contributing to organizational resilience.
Spending Breakdown
How Hawaii Wildlife Center 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 Hawaii Wildlife Center
Is Hawaii Wildlife Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hawaii Wildlife Center (EIN: 201489691) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Hawaii Wildlife Center a good charity to donate to?
Hawaii Wildlife Center has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.8M. Assets: $2.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hawaii Wildlife Center?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hawaii Wildlife Center is 201489691. 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 Wildlife Center spend its money?
Hawaii Wildlife Center allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hawaii Wildlife Center's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hawaii Wildlife Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 201489691 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 Hawaii Wildlife Center demonstrates strong financial health and growth, with revenue consistently increasing from $230,478 in 2014 to $1,570,687 in 2023. This substantial growth, particularly in recent years, indicates increasing support for its mission. The organization has also maintained a healthy asset base, growing from $1,799,582 in 2014 to $2,442,242 in 2023, while keeping liabilities relatively low, suggesting prudent financial management.
Spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well-managed relative to revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $1,300,938 against revenues of $1,570,687, resulting in a surplus that contributes to asset growth and organizational stability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a strong commitment to directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances public trust and suggests a volunteer-driven or very lean administrative structure at the top.
The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods further underscores the organization's commitment to transparency. The detailed financial data provided allows for a clear understanding of its operations and financial standing. The absence of officer compensation is a particularly noteworthy aspect of their financial transparency, indicating that leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive signal for donors.