Quick charity verification for West Michigan Trails & Greenways (EIN: 202362857)
Verdict: West Michigan Trails & Greenways appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$270KRevenue
$802KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile revenue streams, making long-term financial forecasting potentially challenging.
Strengths
Significant asset growth, from $268,420 in 2020 to $1,912,127 in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, demonstrating excellent transparency and dedication of resources to mission.
Expenses consistently below revenue in most recent years, contributing to financial stability and growth.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet (e.g., $7,471 liabilities vs. $1,912,127 assets in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How West Michigan Trails & Greenways 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 West Michigan Trails & Greenways
Is West Michigan Trails & Greenways a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, West Michigan Trails & Greenways (EIN: 202362857) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is West Michigan Trails & Greenways a good charity to donate to?
West Michigan Trails & Greenways has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $270K. Assets: $802K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for West Michigan Trails & Greenways?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for West Michigan Trails & Greenways is 202362857. 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 West Michigan Trails & Greenways spend its money?
West Michigan Trails & Greenways allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify West Michigan Trails & Greenways's tax-exempt status?
You can verify West Michigan Trails & Greenways's tax-exempt status using EIN 202362857 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
West Michigan Trails & Greenways demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, marked by significant asset growth in recent years. For example, assets grew from $268,420 in 2020 to $1,912,127 in 2023, indicating successful fundraising or asset acquisition. The organization consistently spends less than its revenue, as seen in 2023 where revenue was $271,233 and expenses were $233,528, allowing for asset accumulation. This suggests good financial management and sustainability.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, with no reported officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the overall trend of managing expenses below revenue is favorable. The lack of officer compensation also points to a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay.
However, the revenue has shown considerable volatility, ranging from $109,351 in 2019 to $1,464,774 in 2022, and then down to $271,233 in 2023. This fluctuation could indicate reliance on large, infrequent grants or projects, which might pose long-term planning challenges if not managed carefully. Despite this, the consistent growth in assets suggests that the organization is effectively converting its revenue into long-term resources for its mission.