Is Rio Grande Food Project Legit?

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership or highly efficient compensation practices.
Strong asset growth from $326,519 in 2015 to $954,614 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability.
Effective expense management, with expenses consistently close to revenue, indicating efficient use of funds.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting a healthy financial position.
Long filing history (13 filings) indicates consistent compliance and transparency.

Spending Breakdown

How Rio Grande Food Project allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Rio Grande Food Project

Is Rio Grande Food Project a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rio Grande Food Project (EIN: 201667103) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Rio Grande Food Project a good charity to donate to?

Rio Grande Food Project has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $2.0M. Assets: $839K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Rio Grande Food Project?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rio Grande Food Project is 201667103. 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 Rio Grande Food Project spend its money?

Rio Grande Food Project allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Rio Grande Food Project's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Rio Grande Food Project's tax-exempt status using EIN 201667103 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 Rio Grande Food Project demonstrates consistent financial health, maintaining positive net assets and managing expenses effectively. Over the past five years, the organization has consistently spent a high proportion of its total expenses on program services, indicating a strong commitment to its mission. For instance, in 2023, with total expenses of $1,263,228, a significant majority was directed towards programs. The organization's assets have shown steady growth, from $326,519 in 2015 to $954,614 in 2023, suggesting sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. 

The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly given its consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the highest-ranking individuals are not receiving salaries, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and aligns with a volunteer-driven leadership model. While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture suggests efficient use of funds. 

Overall, the Rio Grande Food Project appears to be a well-managed and financially stable nonprofit. Its consistent growth in assets, effective expense management, and transparent approach to executive compensation contribute to a positive assessment of its financial health and operational integrity. The organization's ability to sustain its operations and grow its asset base while maintaining a focus on its mission is a testament to its sound financial practices.

Verdict: Rio Grande Food Project appears trustworthy