Is Wave Hill Incorporated Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Wave Hill Incorporated allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Wave Hill Incorporated

Is Wave Hill Incorporated a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wave Hill Incorporated (EIN: 136178903) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Wave Hill Incorporated a good charity to donate to?

Wave Hill Incorporated has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $14.4M. Assets: $77.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Wave Hill Incorporated?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wave Hill Incorporated is 136178903. 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 Wave Hill Incorporated spend its money?

Wave Hill Incorporated allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Wave Hill Incorporated's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Wave Hill Incorporated's tax-exempt status using EIN 136178903 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

Wave Hill Incorporated demonstrates a generally stable financial position with significant assets, reaching $73,289,781 in the latest 202306 filing. While the organization experienced a deficit in the latest period, with expenses of $8,735,890 exceeding revenue of $7,397,361, this is not an isolated incident, as deficits have occurred in several prior years (e.g., 202206, 201806, 201606). However, these deficits appear to be managed, given the substantial and growing asset base. The organization's NTEE code C400 suggests a focus on botanical gardens, arboreta, and horticultural societies, which typically have significant operational costs for maintenance and programming.

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not reported in this specific category. This practice, if it means no compensation is paid to officers, would be highly unusual for an organization of this size and asset base, suggesting further investigation into how leadership is compensated. The organization's liabilities remain relatively low compared to its assets, indicating good financial management of its obligations. Overall, Wave Hill appears to be a financially sound organization, though its operational deficits in recent years warrant attention to ensure long-term sustainability without relying solely on asset drawdowns.

Verdict: Wave Hill Incorporated appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths