Quick charity verification for High Meadows Foundation (EIN: 208521462)
Verdict: High Meadows Foundation appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$6.8MRevenue
$888KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in executive pay reporting.
Significant year-over-year volatility in revenue and expenses, making financial planning and stability assessment challenging.
Periods where expenses substantially exceed revenue, such as in 2022 and 2021, which could indicate reliance on reserves or unsustainable spending patterns if not managed carefully.
Strengths
Consistently low reported liabilities (often $1), indicating strong debt management and a healthy balance sheet in this regard.
Demonstrated ability to generate substantial revenue, with peak revenue reaching $28,882,146 in 2019.
Positive net assets in most years, indicating financial solvency despite revenue fluctuations.
Spending Breakdown
How High Meadows Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 High Meadows Foundation
Is High Meadows Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, High Meadows Foundation (EIN: 208521462) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is High Meadows Foundation a good charity to donate to?
High Meadows Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $6.8M. Assets: $888K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for High Meadows Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for High Meadows Foundation is 208521462. 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 High Meadows Foundation spend its money?
High Meadows Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify High Meadows Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify High Meadows Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208521462 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
High Meadows Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with significant swings in both revenue and expenses. For instance, in 2019, revenue peaked at $28,882,146, while in 2022, expenses ($10,501,313) exceeded revenue ($5,743,779) by a substantial margin. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities, often just $1, which suggests a strong balance sheet in terms of debt management. However, the asset base has also seen considerable variation, from a low of $435 in 2011 to a high of $20,979,483 in 2019, indicating potential volatility in investment or endowment values. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.
Given the available data, it's challenging to precisely determine spending efficiency without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the organization's ability to operate with minimal liabilities is a positive indicator of financial stability. The absence of reported officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, as it could either signify a highly efficient, volunteer-driven model or a lack of granular reporting on executive pay. Further detailed expense breakdowns would be necessary to fully assess spending efficiency and program impact.