Quick charity verification for River Valley Growth Council (EIN: 10373709)
Verdict: River Valley Growth Council shows mixed signals
40/100Mission Score
$6KRevenue
$700KAssets
4Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operating deficits (e.g., $5,750 revenue vs. $30,173 expenses in 202006).
Steady decline in total assets over time, from $1,058,456 in 201206 to $699,588 in 202006.
Revenue has been consistently low and declining, indicating potential fundraising or program income generation issues.
Expenses consistently outweigh revenue by a large margin, raising questions about long-term viability.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries are being paid from organizational funds.
Spending Breakdown
How River Valley Growth Council allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 River Valley Growth Council
Is River Valley Growth Council a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, River Valley Growth Council (EIN: 10373709) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 40/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is River Valley Growth Council a good charity to donate to?
River Valley Growth Council has a Mission Score of 40/100. Revenue: $6K. Assets: $700K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for River Valley Growth Council?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for River Valley Growth Council is 10373709. 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 River Valley Growth Council spend its money?
River Valley Growth Council allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify River Valley Growth Council's tax-exempt status?
You can verify River Valley Growth Council's tax-exempt status using EIN 10373709 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 River Valley Growth Council exhibits concerning financial trends, with a consistent pattern of expenses significantly exceeding revenue over the past nine years. In the most recent filing (202006), revenue was only $5,750 while expenses were $30,173, indicating a substantial operating deficit. This trend is not new; for example, in 201906, revenue was $6,750 against $38,313 in expenses. The organization's assets have also been steadily declining, from $1,058,456 in 201206 to $699,588 in 202006, suggesting that deficits are being covered by drawing down reserves. While officer compensation has consistently been reported as 0%, which is positive for transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial sustainability is questionable given the persistent revenue shortfall relative to expenses.
The NTEE code S310 indicates a focus on economic development, which often involves grant-funded projects. However, the low and declining revenue figures suggest either a lack of successful grant acquisition or a very limited scope of operations. The consistent liabilities around $1,378-$1,379 across multiple years could indicate a recurring fixed obligation. Without more detailed expense breakdowns from the 990s, it's difficult to ascertain spending efficiency beyond the overall deficit. The organization's ability to continue its mission with such a significant and prolonged revenue-expense imbalance is a major concern.