Is Water First International Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation, demonstrating excellent financial stewardship.
Significant financial surplus in 2023 ($3,582,679 revenue vs. $1,260,927 expenses), indicating strong recent financial performance.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting good transparency and compliance.
Growing asset base over the long term, from $1.2M in 2014 to $3.6M in 2023.

Spending Breakdown

How Water First International allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Water First International

Is Water First International a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Water First International (EIN: 202601035) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Water First International a good charity to donate to?

Water First International has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.3M. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Water First International?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Water First International is 202601035. 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 Water First International spend its money?

Water First International allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Water First International's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Water First International's tax-exempt status using EIN 202601035 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

Water First International demonstrates a generally stable financial position with fluctuating but often positive net assets. In 2023, the organization reported a significant surplus, with revenues of $3,582,679 far exceeding expenses of $1,260,927, leading to a substantial increase in assets to $3,641,177. This marks a strong recovery from previous years where expenses sometimes outpaced revenue, such as in 2022 ($2,297,051 expenses vs. $1,969,815 revenue) and 2019 ($2,835,375 expenses vs. $2,533,522 revenue). The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. While the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the top. The NTEE code T122 (International Development, Relief) aligns with their mission, and the consistent filing of 990s over 13 periods indicates good compliance and transparency practices.

Is Water First International Legit?

Verdict: Water First International appears trustworthy

Red Flags