Is Siskiyou Field Institute Legit? —…

Strengths

Strong asset base: The organization holds nearly $4 million in assets, providing significant financial stability and a buffer against revenue fluctuations.
Zero officer compensation: No executive compensation is reported, indicating efficient use of funds directly for programs and operations.
Clear mission alignment: The NTEE code C60 (Environmental Education) aligns well with the organization's name and likely mission.
Significant capital growth: The organization successfully acquired substantial assets in 2014, demonstrating capacity for major fundraising.

Spending Breakdown

How Siskiyou Field Institute allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Siskiyou Field Institute

Is Siskiyou Field Institute a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Siskiyou Field Institute (EIN: 201285400) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Siskiyou Field Institute a good charity to donate to?

Siskiyou Field Institute has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $295K. Assets: $4.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Siskiyou Field Institute?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Siskiyou Field Institute is 201285400. 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 Siskiyou Field Institute spend its money?

Siskiyou Field Institute allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Siskiyou Field Institute's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Siskiyou Field Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 201285400 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

Siskiyou Field Institute demonstrates a generally stable financial position with significant assets relative to its annual revenue. In the latest filing (202312), the organization reported assets of $3,991,787 against revenue of $305,756, indicating a strong asset base. However, the 202312 filing also shows expenses ($402,541) exceeding revenue, resulting in a deficit for that period. This trend of expenses occasionally surpassing revenue is observed in several other years (e.g., 202012, 201812, 201612, 201512), suggesting a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability, despite the substantial asset base. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to its mission and operational costs rather than executive salaries.

The organization's transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as no officer compensation has been reported across all available filings. This suggests that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a strong point for donor confidence. The NTEE code C60 (Environmental Education) aligns with its name, suggesting a clear mission focus. While the financial data shows some variability in annual performance, the consistent asset base provides a buffer. The significant revenue spike in 201412 ($4,027,942) is an outlier and likely represents a specific grant or capital contribution, which significantly boosted its asset base from $39,004 in 201312 to $3,759,973 in 201412, demonstrating successful fundraising for capital or endowment growth.

Is Siskiyou Field Institute Legit?

Verdict: Siskiyou Field Institute appears trustworthy

Red Flags