Is Southwest Iowa Rec Legit?

Strengths

Consistent financial stability with revenues closely matching expenses over many years.
Steady and significant asset growth, from $33.3M in 2014 to $49.5M currently, indicating strong financial management or investment.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency and compliance.
Positive net assets (Assets exceeding Liabilities) consistently maintained, indicating financial solvency.

Spending Breakdown

How Southwest Iowa Rec allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Southwest Iowa Rec

Is Southwest Iowa Rec a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southwest Iowa Rec (EIN: 200538386) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Southwest Iowa Rec a good charity to donate to?

Southwest Iowa Rec has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $14.3M. Assets: $49.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Southwest Iowa Rec?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Southwest Iowa Rec is 200538386. 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 Southwest Iowa Rec spend its money?

Southwest Iowa Rec allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Southwest Iowa Rec's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Southwest Iowa Rec's tax-exempt status using EIN 200538386 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

Southwest Iowa Rec demonstrates consistent financial operations with revenues closely matching expenses across its filing history, indicating a stable, break-even operational model. For example, in 2021, both revenue and expenses were $12,865,419. The organization has shown steady asset growth, increasing from $33,381,147 in 2014 to $49,599,324 currently, suggesting effective asset management or reinvestment. However, a significant portion of these assets are offset by liabilities, which have also grown from $20,287,840 to $25,362,944 in the latest filing, indicating a reliance on debt or other obligations.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field, warranting further investigation for complete transparency. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency, but the consistent revenue-to-expense ratio implies a focused allocation of resources.

Overall, Southwest Iowa Rec appears to be a financially stable organization with a clear operational pattern. Its consistent asset growth and the reported lack of officer compensation are positive indicators. However, a more granular breakdown of expenses would provide greater insight into its spending efficiency and program impact, and clarification on executive compensation reporting would enhance transparency.

Verdict: Southwest Iowa Rec appears trustworthy

Red Flags