Is Pepperwood Foundation Legit?

Strengths

Substantial and growing asset base ($33,228,180 in 2023)
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and accountability.
Significant revenue spikes in certain years (e.g., $7.5M in 2020, $6.7M in 2021) indicate strong fundraising capacity.

Spending Breakdown

How Pepperwood 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 Pepperwood Foundation

Is Pepperwood Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Pepperwood Foundation (EIN: 10817571) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Pepperwood Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Pepperwood Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4.0M. Assets: $36.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Pepperwood Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Pepperwood Foundation is 10817571. 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 Pepperwood Foundation spend its money?

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

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

You can verify Pepperwood Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10817571 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 Pepperwood Foundation demonstrates a generally stable financial position with significant assets, though recent years show expenses exceeding revenue. In fiscal year 2023, the organization reported expenses of $3,978,051 against revenues of $2,864,863, indicating a deficit spending trend that also appeared in 2022 and 2019. However, this is balanced by substantial assets, which stood at $33,228,180 in 2023, suggesting a strong endowment or investment base that can absorb these operational deficits. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.

Spending efficiency appears to be reasonable, with a significant portion of expenses likely directed towards program services, given the lack of reported officer compensation. The consistent asset growth over the past decade, from $21,678,271 in 2014 to over $33 million in 2023, further underscores financial stability. While the recent revenue shortfalls compared to expenses warrant monitoring, the overall financial health appears robust due to its substantial asset base.

Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as no officer compensation has been reported across all available filings. This practice, combined with consistent annual filings, suggests a commitment to public accountability. The organization's ability to maintain and grow its asset base while managing operational fluctuations points to sound financial management, even with periods of deficit spending.

Verdict: Pepperwood Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags