Is Hiawatha Academies Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Hiawatha Academies allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Hiawatha Academies

Is Hiawatha Academies a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hiawatha Academies (EIN: 204798683) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Hiawatha Academies a good charity to donate to?

Hiawatha Academies has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $32.6M. Assets: $11.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Hiawatha Academies?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hiawatha Academies is 204798683. 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 Hiawatha Academies spend its money?

Hiawatha Academies allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Hiawatha Academies's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Hiawatha Academies's tax-exempt status using EIN 204798683 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

Hiawatha Academies demonstrates consistent financial activity with revenues generally keeping pace with expenses over the past decade. For instance, in the 202306 period, revenues were $31,998,347 against expenses of $32,340,998, indicating a slight operational deficit. The organization's assets have fluctuated, showing a recent decline from $17,479,202 in 202106 to $14,475,294 in 202306, while liabilities have remained substantial, often exceeding assets. This suggests a reliance on debt or other long-term obligations. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates strong transparency regarding executive pay, as it implies either no compensation or that it's reported under other categories, which would warrant further investigation for clarity.

While the organization's revenue has grown significantly from $8,833,723 in 201406 to over $30 million in recent years, the persistent high liabilities relative to assets, such as $22,817,352 in liabilities against $14,475,294 in assets in 202306, could be a concern for long-term financial stability. This structure might be typical for organizations with significant capital projects or real estate holdings, but without further detail on the nature of these liabilities, it presents a potential risk. The consistent operational deficits in some years, like 202306 and 201906, suggest that the organization is spending slightly more than it brings in, which could erode reserves over time if not managed effectively.

Overall, Hiawatha Academies appears to be a growing organization with substantial financial activity. Its transparency regarding officer compensation is notable. However, the consistent trend of liabilities exceeding assets and occasional operational deficits warrant closer scrutiny to ensure long-term financial health and sustainability. The NTEE code B200 (Elementary & Secondary Education) suggests that a significant portion of expenses would naturally be program-related, which aligns with the mission of an educational institution.

Verdict: Hiawatha Academies appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths