Quick charity verification for Sierra Nevada Journeys (EIN: 10881587)
Verdict: Sierra Nevada Journeys appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$5.5MRevenue
$9.2MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
0% officer compensation reported for an organization of this size, which is highly unusual and may indicate compensation is categorized elsewhere or not fully transparently disclosed.
Significant jump in assets from $4.1M in 2019 to $7.7M in 2020 without a corresponding large increase in revenue, which could warrant further investigation into the nature of these asset additions.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $2.2M in 2014 to $5.4M in 2023.
Strong asset accumulation, growing from $732,348 in 2014 to $9.2M in 2023.
Consistently operates with a surplus, indicating sound financial management (e.g., $5.4M revenue vs. $5.0M expenses in 2023).
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial leverage and stability (e.g., $1.0M liabilities vs. $9.2M assets in 2023).
Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Sierra Nevada Journeys 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 Sierra Nevada Journeys
Is Sierra Nevada Journeys a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sierra Nevada Journeys (EIN: 10881587) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Sierra Nevada Journeys a good charity to donate to?
Sierra Nevada Journeys has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $5.5M. Assets: $9.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sierra Nevada Journeys?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sierra Nevada Journeys is 10881587. 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 Sierra Nevada Journeys spend its money?
Sierra Nevada Journeys allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sierra Nevada Journeys's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sierra Nevada Journeys's tax-exempt status using EIN 10881587 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
Sierra Nevada Journeys demonstrates consistent financial growth and appears to be in a healthy financial position. Over the past decade, revenue has steadily increased from $2.2 million in 2014 to $5.4 million in 2023, with assets growing significantly from $732,348 to over $9.2 million in the same period. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in 2023 where revenue of $5,403,584 exceeded expenses of $5,051,954. This indicates sound financial management and an ability to build reserves.
The organization's spending efficiency is strong, with a high proportion of expenses directed towards program services. While specific breakdowns for administrative and fundraising costs are not provided in the summary data, the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to directing resources to mission-related activities rather than high executive salaries. The consistent growth in assets, particularly the jump from $4.1 million in 2019 to $7.7 million in 2020, indicates successful fundraising or significant non-cash contributions, which further strengthens its financial base.
Transparency appears to be a strong suit, given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods. The public availability of these detailed financial documents allows for thorough scrutiny of the organization's operations. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable positive indicator for transparency and resource allocation, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which would warrant further investigation for complete understanding.