Quick charity verification for Ventura Land Trust (EIN: 10769456)
Verdict: Ventura Land Trust appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$4.3MRevenue
$14.8MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low or 0% reported officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if it's categorized elsewhere.
Strengths
Consistent and significant growth in assets, from $642,144 in 2014 to $12,527,525 in 2023, indicating strong financial management and successful fundraising.
Healthy revenue surpluses in most years, demonstrating financial stability and capacity for growth (e.g., $2,582,352 revenue vs. $2,124,201 expenses in 2023).
Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities at $598,754 against assets of $12,527,525 in 2023, indicating a strong balance sheet.
Long history of consistent IRS 990 filings (14 filings), suggesting good governance and transparency practices.
Spending Breakdown
How Ventura Land Trust 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 Ventura Land Trust
Is Ventura Land Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ventura Land Trust (EIN: 10769456) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ventura Land Trust a good charity to donate to?
Ventura Land Trust has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $4.3M. Assets: $14.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ventura Land Trust?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ventura Land Trust is 10769456. 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 Ventura Land Trust spend its money?
Ventura Land Trust allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ventura Land Trust's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ventura Land Trust's tax-exempt status using EIN 10769456 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
Ventura Land Trust demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its consistent growth in assets and revenue over the past decade. In the latest filing period (202312), the organization reported revenue of $2,582,352 against expenses of $2,124,201, indicating a healthy surplus. The organization's assets have grown significantly from $642,144 in 2014 to $12,527,525 in 2023, reflecting successful fundraising and asset accumulation for its land conservation efforts.
The spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well below revenue, allowing for asset growth. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture suggests effective resource management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a high level of transparency regarding executive pay, suggesting that leadership compensation is either very low or covered by other means, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The organization's financial trajectory shows a stable and growing entity focused on its long-term goals.