Is Mad River Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Mad River 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

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 Mad River Foundation

Is Mad River Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mad River Foundation (EIN: 136097034) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Mad River Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Mad River Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $32K. Assets: $865K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Mad River Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mad River Foundation is 136097034. 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 Mad River Foundation spend its money?

Mad River Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Mad River Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Mad River Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136097034 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 Mad River Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of declining revenue and increasing expenses in recent years, leading to significant net losses. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $46,099 while expenses were $112,356, resulting in a deficit of over $66,000. This pattern is consistent in 2022 and 2021 as well. While the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $798,364 in 2023, these assets have been steadily decreasing from a high of $952,241 in 2021, suggesting the organization may be drawing down reserves to cover operational shortfalls. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which is a positive for efficiency.

The foundation's financial health appears to be deteriorating, with expenses consistently outstripping revenue in the most recent periods. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of its operations if this trend continues. The lack of reported liabilities is a positive indicator of fiscal responsibility, but it doesn't offset the operational deficits. Without a breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency, but the overall financial trajectory suggests a need for strategic review of revenue generation and expense management.

Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over many years. However, the absence of an NTEE code makes it challenging to understand the specific mission and compare its financial performance against similar organizations. The consistent zero officer compensation is a strong point for transparency regarding executive pay.

Verdict: Mad River Foundation shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths