Is Rio Grande Return Legit?

Strengths

Significant and consistent growth in revenue over the past several years, from $35,871 in 2017 to over $1.2 million in 2023.
Substantial growth in assets, from $10,808 in 2017 to $889,891 in 2023, indicating strong financial health and capacity.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a highly efficient use of funds or a volunteer-driven leadership.
Positive net assets (Assets > Liabilities) in all reported periods, demonstrating financial solvency.
Strong revenue performance in 2022 ($1,567,708 revenue vs. $1,008,708 expenses) indicates effective fundraising and program delivery.

Spending Breakdown

How Rio Grande Return 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 Return

Is Rio Grande Return a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rio Grande Return (EIN: 208434340) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Rio Grande Return a good charity to donate to?

Rio Grande Return has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.0M. Assets: $1.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Rio Grande Return?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rio Grande Return is 208434340. 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 Return spend its money?

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

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

You can verify Rio Grande Return's tax-exempt status using EIN 208434340 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

Rio Grande Return demonstrates a strong commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past several years. The organization's revenue has grown significantly from $35,871 in 2017 to $1,215,283 in 2023, indicating increasing support for its programs. While the 2023 filing shows expenses ($1,479,952) exceeding revenue ($1,215,283), leading to a deficit for that year, this follows a period of strong surpluses, such as in 2022 where revenue ($1,567,708) significantly outpaced expenses ($1,008,708). The organization's assets have also grown substantially, from $10,808 in 2017 to $889,891 in 2023, providing a solid financial foundation.

The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly its consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that the leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The NTEE code C30 (Environmental Protection & Conservation) aligns well with the organization's name, suggesting a clear programmatic focus. The overall financial trajectory, despite the recent deficit, indicates a growing and generally well-managed nonprofit with a strong program focus.

Spending efficiency appears to be good, especially given the lack of reported officer compensation. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health, marked by significant asset growth and substantial revenue, suggests that the organization is effectively utilizing its resources to achieve its mission. The consistent growth in assets and revenue over time points to a sustainable operational model, even with year-to-year fluctuations in net income.

Verdict: Rio Grande Return appears trustworthy

Red Flags