Quick charity verification for Megunticook Watershed Association (EIN: 10285516)
Verdict: Megunticook Watershed Association appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$172KRevenue
$272KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $191,715 in 2015 to $235,428 in 2024.
Zero officer compensation reported across all 13 filings, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency.
Very low liabilities, consistently under $7,000, demonstrating strong financial stability.
Healthy revenue surplus in the most recent period (202404: Revenue $157,978 vs. Expenses $102,120).
Long history of consistent IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Megunticook Watershed Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Megunticook Watershed Association
Is Megunticook Watershed Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Megunticook Watershed Association (EIN: 10285516) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Megunticook Watershed Association a good charity to donate to?
Megunticook Watershed Association has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $172K. Assets: $272K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Megunticook Watershed Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Megunticook Watershed Association is 10285516. 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 Megunticook Watershed Association spend its money?
Megunticook Watershed Association allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Megunticook Watershed Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Megunticook Watershed Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 10285516 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 Megunticook Watershed Association demonstrates consistent financial health with a positive trend in revenue and assets over the past decade. In the most recent filing (Period 202404), the organization reported revenue of $157,978 against expenses of $102,120, indicating a healthy surplus that contributes to asset growth. Total assets have steadily increased from $191,715 in 2015 to $235,428 in 2024, suggesting prudent financial management and accumulation of resources for its mission. The organization's liabilities remain very low, consistently under $7,000, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and low debt burden.
Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, implying that the organization's leadership is volunteer-based, which significantly reduces administrative overhead. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the absence of paid executive compensation suggests a high proportion of funds are likely directed towards direct program activities. The consistent growth in assets alongside fluctuating but generally increasing revenue demonstrates a sustainable operational model.
Transparency is generally good, with regular IRS 990 filings available. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a key transparency point, indicating that the organization is not spending on high executive salaries. However, without more detailed expense breakdowns (e.g., specific program service expenses vs. other expenses), a full assessment of spending efficiency across all categories is limited. Overall, the financial data suggests a well-managed, lean organization focused on its mission.