Is Summit Leadership High Desert Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Summit Leadership High Desert (EIN: 202972383)

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating exceptional transparency and dedication to mission.
Strong program spending efficiency, with expenses closely aligning with revenues (e.g., 202306 period: $4,589,165 revenue vs. $4,588,749 expenses).
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $1,372,512 in 201406 to $3,727,703 in 202306.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods, indicating strong compliance and transparency.

Spending Breakdown

How Summit Leadership High Desert 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 Summit Leadership High Desert

Is Summit Leadership High Desert a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Summit Leadership High Desert (EIN: 202972383) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Summit Leadership High Desert a good charity to donate to?

Summit Leadership High Desert has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $5.3M. Assets: $3.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Summit Leadership High Desert?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Summit Leadership High Desert is 202972383. 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 Summit Leadership High Desert spend its money?

Summit Leadership High Desert allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Summit Leadership High Desert's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Summit Leadership High Desert's tax-exempt status using EIN 202972383 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

Summit Leadership High Desert demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in close alignment over the past several years. For instance, in the 202306 period, revenue was $4,589,165 against expenses of $4,588,749, indicating a very tight operational margin. The organization has shown growth in assets, increasing from $1,372,512 in 201406 to $3,727,703 in 202306, suggesting a building of financial capacity. Liabilities have also increased over time, reaching $1,558,763 in 202306, which warrants monitoring to ensure sustainable debt management.

The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the minimal difference between revenue and expenses in recent years, implying that most incoming funds are directly utilized for operations. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. This practice is highly commendable and suggests a volunteer-led or very low-cost leadership structure.

Overall, Summit Leadership High Desert appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong commitment to its mission, as indicated by its operational efficiency and transparent compensation practices. The growth in assets, while accompanied by an increase in liabilities, suggests strategic investment or expansion. The consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods further reinforces its commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.

Is Summit Leadership High Desert Legit?

Verdict: Summit Leadership High Desert appears trustworthy

Red Flags