Quick charity verification for Water For The World (EIN: 208865591)
Verdict: Water For The World appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$360KRevenue
$202KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Inconsistent financial stability with multiple years of deficit spending (e.g., 2021, 2019, 2015, 2011).
Significant fluctuations in annual revenue, indicating potential reliance on unpredictable funding sources.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, demonstrating strong commitment to program spending.
Generally low liabilities across most filing periods, indicating good financial health in terms of debt.
Significant growth in assets from $49,153 in 2023 to $201,538 currently, suggesting recent financial improvement.
Long filing history (10 filings), indicating sustained operation and transparency over time.
Spending Breakdown
How Water For The World 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 Water For The World
Is Water For The World a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Water For The World (EIN: 208865591) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Water For The World a good charity to donate to?
Water For The World has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $360K. Assets: $202K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Water For The World?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Water For The World is 208865591. 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 For The World spend its money?
Water For The World allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Water For The World's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Water For The World's tax-exempt status using EIN 208865591 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 For The World demonstrates consistent program focus with 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the organization's financial health shows some volatility. While the latest reported revenue is $360,100 and assets are $201,538, there have been periods of deficit spending, such as in 2021 where expenses ($175,676) exceeded revenue ($160,000), and in 2019 where expenses ($325,376) significantly outpaced revenue ($250,550). This suggests a need for more stable financial planning or fundraising efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.
The organization's asset base has fluctuated, with a notable increase from $49,153 in 2023 to the current $201,538, which is a positive sign of growth. Liabilities have generally remained low, often reported as $1, which is excellent for financial stability. The absence of officer compensation also contributes positively to its transparency and efficiency metrics, as it implies that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990-EZ, which is common for smaller nonprofits. Overall, while program dedication is clear, financial management could benefit from greater consistency to avoid periods of deficit spending.