Quick charity verification for San Diego River Park Foundation (EIN: 10565671)
Verdict: San Diego River Park Foundation appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$4.1MRevenue
$32.0MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low expense-to-revenue ratio, potentially indicating significant cash reserves or restricted funds not fully utilized for programs annually.
Consistent 0% officer compensation, while positive for efficiency, could also indicate a lack of transparency if executive duties are compensated through other means not clearly disclosed as 'officer compensation'.
Strengths
Strong financial health with consistent asset growth from $20,725,356 in 2019 to $27,779,231 in 2023.
Excellent spending efficiency, with expenses consistently well below revenue, allowing for significant reinvestment.
High transparency regarding executive compensation, reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings.
Healthy financial reserves, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $27,779,231 assets vs. $1,538,600 liabilities in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How San Diego River Park Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 San Diego River Park Foundation
Is San Diego River Park Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, San Diego River Park Foundation (EIN: 10565671) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is San Diego River Park Foundation a good charity to donate to?
San Diego River Park Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $4.1M. Assets: $32.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for San Diego River Park Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for San Diego River Park Foundation is 10565671. 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 San Diego River Park Foundation spend its money?
San Diego River Park Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify San Diego River Park Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify San Diego River Park Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10565671 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 San Diego River Park Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its consistent growth in assets and efficient spending. Over the past five years, the organization's assets have grown significantly from $20,725,356 in 2019 to $27,779,231 in 2023, indicating robust financial management and capacity building. The foundation consistently spends a high proportion of its expenses on program services, with a notable trend of expenses being considerably lower than revenue, allowing for asset accumulation. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $1,359,965 against revenues of $3,004,781, suggesting a healthy surplus reinvested into the organization's long-term sustainability and mission.
Spending efficiency appears high, with a significant portion of funds directed towards programs. While specific breakdowns for administrative and fundraising costs are not provided in the summary data, the overall low expense-to-revenue ratio suggests that the organization is not overspending on overhead. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a focus on directing resources to the mission rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances public trust and demonstrates a commitment to maximizing impact.
Overall, the San Diego River Park Foundation exhibits excellent financial stewardship. Its ability to consistently grow assets, maintain a healthy revenue surplus, and report zero officer compensation points to a well-managed and transparent organization dedicated to its programmatic goals. The financial data suggests a sustainable model that prioritizes long-term impact and efficient use of donor funds.