Quick charity verification for Illinois River Watershed Ptr (EIN: 204046238)
Verdict: Illinois River Watershed Ptr appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$913KRevenue
$2.9MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in the last three reporting periods (2021-2023), potentially indicating unsustainable spending without external support.
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility, making long-term financial planning challenging.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Strong asset base ($4,031,060 in 2023) relative to liabilities ($16,557 in 2023), indicating financial resilience.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), suggesting sustained operations and compliance.
Clear focus on program activities, as implied by the lack of executive compensation and the nature of the organization.
Spending Breakdown
How Illinois River Watershed Ptr 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 Illinois River Watershed Ptr
Is Illinois River Watershed Ptr a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Illinois River Watershed Ptr (EIN: 204046238) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Illinois River Watershed Ptr a good charity to donate to?
Illinois River Watershed Ptr has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $913K. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Illinois River Watershed Ptr?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Illinois River Watershed Ptr is 204046238. 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 Illinois River Watershed Ptr spend its money?
Illinois River Watershed Ptr allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Illinois River Watershed Ptr's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Illinois River Watershed Ptr's tax-exempt status using EIN 204046238 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 Illinois River Watershed Partnership demonstrates a commitment to its mission of watershed protection, as evidenced by its consistent program spending. However, the organization has experienced significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past several years. For instance, in 2023, expenses of $1,595,081 significantly outpaced revenue of $1,026,646, leading to a deficit. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is also observed in 2022 and 2021, suggesting a potential reliance on prior year surpluses or grant funding cycles.
Despite these operational deficits in recent years, the organization maintains a healthy asset base, with assets of $4,031,060 in 2023, far exceeding its liabilities of $16,557. This strong asset-to-liability ratio indicates financial stability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of financial transparency and a focus on directing resources towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. The organization's long filing history (14 filings) also points to a sustained operational presence and commitment to regulatory compliance.