Quick charity verification for Shearwater Foundation Inc (EIN: 208075507)
Verdict: Shearwater Foundation Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$30.4MRevenue
$16.6MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base, potentially indicating a lack of transparency in executive remuneration.
Significant discrepancy between 'Latest Revenue' ($30,402,270) and the highest annual revenue in the provided filing history ($7,566,785), requiring clarification.
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Strong asset growth from $4,752,200 in 2011 to $16,601,948 currently, indicating effective financial management and accumulation.
Consistently low reported liabilities (often $1 or $0), suggesting a very healthy balance sheet and minimal debt.
In the 202312 period, revenue ($868,610) significantly exceeded expenses ($276,575), indicating financial stability and a surplus for future activities.
Spending Breakdown
How Shearwater Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Shearwater Foundation Inc
Is Shearwater Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Shearwater Foundation Inc (EIN: 208075507) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Shearwater Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Shearwater Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $30.4M. Assets: $16.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Shearwater Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Shearwater Foundation Inc is 208075507. 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 Shearwater Foundation Inc spend its money?
Shearwater Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Shearwater Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Shearwater Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208075507 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
Shearwater Foundation Inc. demonstrates a fluctuating financial profile based on its IRS 990 filings. While the latest reported revenue is substantial at $30,402,270, the individual filing periods show much lower revenues, with the most recent 202312 period reporting $868,610 in revenue against $276,575 in expenses. This suggests a significant portion of the 'latest revenue' might be from a different reporting period or a large one-time event not reflected in the annual filings provided. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities (often $1 or $0), indicating a strong balance sheet with assets significantly exceeding liabilities. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all provided filings raises questions about the transparency of executive remuneration, as it's unusual for an organization of this size and asset base to have no compensated officers, or it implies that officers are compensated through other means or are entirely volunteer.
The spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, looking at the 202312 filing, expenses ($276,575) are significantly lower than revenue ($868,610), suggesting a surplus. The organization's assets have grown from $4,752,200 in 2011 to $16,601,948 currently, indicating effective asset management and accumulation over time. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially positive for overhead, could also be a red flag for transparency if compensation is simply not being reported in the standard section.