Quick charity verification for Water Research Foundation (EIN: 136211384)
Verdict: Water Research Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$45.7MRevenue
$57.1MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in provided data prevents precise efficiency analysis.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most years.
Significant and sustained asset growth, from $16.79 million in 2014 to $53.20 million in 2023.
No reported officer compensation in the provided data, suggesting efficient use of funds or volunteer leadership.
Strong financial stability with a healthy asset-to-liability ratio (e.g., $53.20M assets vs $9.28M liabilities in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Water Research Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Research Foundation
Is Water Research Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Water Research Foundation (EIN: 136211384) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Water Research Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Water Research Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $45.7M. Assets: $57.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Water Research Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Water Research Foundation is 136211384. 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 Research Foundation spend its money?
Water Research Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Water Research Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Water Research Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136211384 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 Water Research Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and consistent growth in assets over the past decade, increasing from $16.79 million in 2014 to $53.20 million in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, with revenues generally exceeding expenses, indicating sound financial management. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $23.36 million against expenses of $19.08 million. This consistent surplus contributes to its robust asset base.
Regarding spending efficiency, the organization appears to prioritize its program services. While specific functional expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the consistent generation of surpluses suggests that a significant portion of its resources is directed towards its mission. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data for all years is a notable aspect of its transparency, indicating either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is reported differently or is minimal.
Overall, the Water Research Foundation exhibits a healthy financial trajectory, with growing assets and a consistent ability to cover its expenses. The lack of reported officer compensation points to a potentially high level of transparency regarding executive pay, though further detail on functional expenses would provide a more complete picture of spending efficiency.