Is The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community Legit?
Quick charity verification for The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community (EIN: 20428719)
Verdict: The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$468KRevenue
$579KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent decline in total assets over the past decade (from $918,969 in 2015 to $524,008 in 2023).
Fluctuating revenue and expenses, with expenses sometimes exceeding revenue (e.g., 202312: Revenue=$190,952, Expenses=$195,953; 202306: Revenue=$204,351, Expenses=$257,575), indicating potential operational deficits.
Relatively high liability-to-asset ratio (e.g., 202312: Liabilities $208,008 / Assets $524,008 = 39.7%).
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards programs.
Generally low administrative and fundraising costs, maximizing program efficiency.
Long filing history (14 filings) demonstrates consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community 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 The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community
Is The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community (EIN: 20428719) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community a good charity to donate to?
The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $468K. Assets: $579K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community is 20428719. 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 The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community spend its money?
The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community's tax-exempt status using EIN 20428719 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
The Bearcamp Center For Sustainable Community demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. While the organization has experienced fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past several years, it generally operates with a lean administrative structure. For instance, the latest available data shows expenses of $195,953 against revenue of $190,952, indicating operations are closely aligned with incoming funds. A notable strength is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests a volunteer-driven leadership or very modest compensation practices, enhancing donor confidence in resource allocation directly to programs.
However, the organization has shown a trend of declining assets, from a peak of $918,969 in 2015 to $524,008 in 2023, alongside a relatively high and fluctuating liability-to-asset ratio (e.g., $208,008 liabilities against $524,008 assets in 2023). This trend warrants closer examination to understand the underlying causes and potential long-term financial stability implications. Despite these financial shifts, the consistent lack of officer compensation points to a strong dedication to maximizing program impact with available funds, reflecting positively on its transparency regarding executive remuneration.