Is Integral Ecology Research Center Legit?

Quick charity verification for Integral Ecology Research Center (EIN: 201687238)

Verdict: Integral Ecology Research Center appears trustworthy

88/100Mission Score

$3.1MRevenue

$923KAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant increase in liabilities from $169,757 in 2022 to $863,821 in 2023, warranting further scrutiny.
Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization with over $1.6 million in annual expenses, which could indicate potential underreporting or reliance on unpaid leadership.

Strengths

Strong program spending ratio, with 90% of expenses allocated to programs in 2023.
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $233,391 in 2014 to $1,687,222 in 2023.
Significant asset growth, increasing from $8,518 in 2014 to $1,033,913 in 2023, indicating financial capacity building.
Lean administrative overhead, typically around 5-7% of total expenses.

Spending Breakdown

How Integral Ecology Research Center allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Integral Ecology Research Center

Is Integral Ecology Research Center a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Integral Ecology Research Center (EIN: 201687238) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Integral Ecology Research Center a good charity to donate to?

Integral Ecology Research Center has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $3.1M. Assets: $923K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Integral Ecology Research Center?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Integral Ecology Research Center is 201687238. 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 Integral Ecology Research Center spend its money?

Integral Ecology Research Center allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Integral Ecology Research Center's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Integral Ecology Research Center's tax-exempt status using EIN 201687238 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

Integral Ecology Research Center demonstrates a strong commitment to its program services, consistently allocating a high percentage of its expenses directly to its mission. For instance, in the 202312 period, with total expenses of $1,690,188, the organization reported 90% of its spending on program services, indicating efficient use of donor funds. The organization's assets have shown significant growth, increasing from $8,518 in 2014 to $1,033,913 in 2023, suggesting financial stability and capacity building. However, the substantial increase in liabilities to $863,821 in 2023, up from $169,757 in 2022, warrants closer examination to understand the nature of these obligations and their potential impact on future financial flexibility.

The organization's revenue has also seen substantial growth over the past decade, from $233,391 in 2014 to $1,687,222 in 2023, reflecting increasing support for its ecological research mission. Despite this growth, the organization has maintained a lean administrative structure, with administrative expenses typically around 5-7% of total expenses. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very modestly compensated leadership, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence. Overall, while the recent increase in liabilities is a point to monitor, the organization generally exhibits sound financial health, strong program focus, and good transparency regarding its operational costs.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.