Quick charity verification for Natural Bridges (EIN: 161651486)
Verdict: Natural Bridges appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$289KRevenue
$207KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent 202407 filing ($375,906 vs $342,173), indicating a deficit for that period.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $49,213 in 2015 to $342,173 in 2024.
Significant increase in assets, from $17,138 in 2015 to $233,974 in 2024.
Zero officer compensation reported across all 14 filings, indicating strong program focus and efficient use of funds.
Liabilities reduced to $0 in the latest filing (202407), demonstrating excellent debt management.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 14 periods, showing a commitment to transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Natural Bridges allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Natural Bridges
Is Natural Bridges a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Natural Bridges (EIN: 161651486) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Natural Bridges a good charity to donate to?
Natural Bridges has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $289K. Assets: $207K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Natural Bridges?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Natural Bridges is 161651486. 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 Natural Bridges spend its money?
Natural Bridges allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Natural Bridges's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Natural Bridges's tax-exempt status using EIN 161651486 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
Natural Bridges demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue generation over the past decade, growing from $49,213 in 2015 to $342,173 in 2024. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, increasing from $17,138 in 2015 to $233,974 in 2024, indicating good financial stewardship. While the most recent filing (202407) shows expenses ($375,906) exceeding revenue ($342,173), leading to a deficit, this appears to be an anomaly compared to previous years where revenue generally outpaced or closely matched expenses. The organization's liabilities have been significantly reduced from a high of $83,538 in 2017 to $0 in the latest filing, which is a strong positive indicator of financial health and debt management.
Spending efficiency appears reasonable, with no officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting that resources are directed towards the mission rather than executive salaries. The absence of reported officer compensation also enhances transparency. The organization's NTEE code B21 (Botanical Gardens & Arboreta) suggests a clear program focus. The consistent growth in assets and reduction in liabilities over time, despite fluctuations in annual revenue and expenses, points to a well-managed organization. The consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 14 periods further demonstrates a commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.