Is Viles Arboretum Legit?

Strengths

Consistent and significant revenue growth, from $149,427 in 2019 to $481,595 in 2023.
Strong asset accumulation, growing from $1,034,821 in 2019 to $1,415,867 in 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency.
Healthy surpluses in most recent years, such as $109,323 in 2023 ($481,595 revenue - $372,272 expenses).
Low liabilities, often reported as $0 or very minimal, suggesting prudent financial management.

Spending Breakdown

How Viles Arboretum 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 Viles Arboretum

Is Viles Arboretum a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Viles Arboretum (EIN: 10387300) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Viles Arboretum a good charity to donate to?

Viles Arboretum has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $392K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Viles Arboretum?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Viles Arboretum is 10387300. 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 Viles Arboretum spend its money?

Viles Arboretum allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Viles Arboretum's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Viles Arboretum's tax-exempt status using EIN 10387300 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

Viles Arboretum demonstrates a strong and consistent financial trajectory, with revenue growing significantly from $149,427 in 2019 to $481,595 in 2023. This growth has allowed the organization to expand its assets from $1,034,821 in 2019 to $1,415,867 in 2023, indicating sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a significant indicator of volunteer leadership and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission.

The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well below revenue, leading to healthy surpluses in most recent years (e.g., $481,595 revenue vs. $372,272 expenses in 2023). This suggests effective cost control and a focus on maximizing the impact of donations. The absence of officer compensation further reinforces the idea that administrative costs are likely kept low, allowing a greater proportion of funds to be allocated to program services.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 14 periods, coupled with the detailed financial data provided, indicates a commitment to public accountability. The clear financial picture, including asset growth and revenue trends, allows stakeholders to easily assess the organization's financial health and operational efficiency. The lack of reported liabilities in many years also points to prudent financial management.

Verdict: Viles Arboretum appears trustworthy