Quick charity verification for Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 136122167)
Verdict: Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.0MRevenue
$6.0MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Frequent expense overruns relative to annual revenue (e.g., 2022: $497,700 expenses vs. $102,042 revenue).
Significant year-to-year revenue volatility, making financial planning potentially challenging.
Gradual decline in total assets over the past decade, from $8.36M in 2011 to $6.21M in 2023.
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating highly efficient administrative spending.
Substantial asset base ($6,214,067 in 2023) provides financial stability.
Extremely low liabilities ($1 in 2023) demonstrates strong financial management and minimal debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history shows good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc
Is Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 136122167) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.0M. Assets: $6.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc is 136122167. 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 Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc spend its money?
Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136122167 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 Waterfowl Research Foundation Inc. demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its stable asset base and minimal liabilities over the past decade. While revenue has fluctuated significantly year-to-year, ranging from a negative revenue of $-61,417 in 2012 to $782,359 in 2021, the organization has managed its expenses to maintain its financial position. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a strong volunteer-driven or highly efficient operational model, which is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.
However, the wide swings in annual revenue and the fact that expenses frequently exceed revenue (e.g., $497,700 in expenses against $102,042 in revenue in 2022) suggest a reliance on prior year reserves or investment income to cover operational costs. This pattern, while not immediately alarming given the substantial assets of $6,214,067 in 2023, could indicate an unpredictable funding model. The organization's transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as it consistently reports 0% for officer compensation.
Overall, the organization appears financially stable due to its significant assets and negligible liabilities. Its spending efficiency is commendable given the lack of officer compensation. However, the inconsistent revenue generation relative to expenses warrants closer examination to understand its long-term sustainability without drawing down assets excessively. The organization's consistent filing of IRS 990s demonstrates good transparency.