Quick charity verification for Sea Otter Foundation (EIN: 10539524)
Verdict: Sea Otter Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$4KRevenue
$70KAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Fluctuating revenue in earlier years (e.g., $1,046 in 2015 vs. $44,741 in 2019) could indicate inconsistent funding streams.
Expenses exceeded revenue in some past periods (e.g., 2021: $17,020 expenses vs. $13,507 revenue; 2019: $46,597 expenses vs. $44,741 revenue), though this has improved significantly in the latest filing.
Strengths
Strong financial growth in the latest period (2023 revenue $52,587, assets $78,304).
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Low liabilities across all reported periods, suggesting sound financial management and minimal debt.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates transparency.
Significant surplus in the most recent fiscal year (2023 expenses $16,733 vs. revenue $52,587).
Spending Breakdown
How Sea Otter Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Sea Otter Foundation
Is Sea Otter Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sea Otter Foundation (EIN: 10539524) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Sea Otter Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Sea Otter Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4K. Assets: $70K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sea Otter Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sea Otter Foundation is 10539524. 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 Sea Otter Foundation spend its money?
Sea Otter Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sea Otter Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sea Otter Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10539524 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 Sea Otter Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating but generally positive financial trajectory, particularly in its most recent filing. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $52,587 against expenses of $16,733, indicating a significant surplus and growth in assets to $78,304. This represents a substantial improvement from previous years where expenses sometimes exceeded revenue, such as in 2021 ($17,020 expenses vs. $13,507 revenue) and 2019 ($46,597 expenses vs. $44,741 revenue). The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities, suggesting sound financial management and low debt risk.
Spending efficiency appears strong, especially in the latest period, with expenses being a relatively small portion of revenue. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates that the organization is likely volunteer-led or compensates its leadership through non-salary means, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) within the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across categories is limited.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The readily available financial data, even if high-level, allows for basic financial analysis. The absence of officer compensation is a transparent indicator of how resources are allocated. To further enhance transparency, a more granular breakdown of expenses would be beneficial for donors and stakeholders.