Quick charity verification for Western Foothills Land Trust (EIN: 16083123)
Verdict: Western Foothills Land Trust appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.6MRevenue
$3.8MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication to mission.
Significant and consistent revenue growth from $334,348 in 2014 to $2,180,921 in 2023.
Strong asset growth from $712,882 in 2014 to $3,353,392 in 2023, enhancing long-term stability.
Healthy financial surpluses in most years, such as 2023 where revenue ($2,180,921) significantly exceeded expenses ($1,601,888).
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods, demonstrating strong transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Western Foothills Land Trust allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Western Foothills Land Trust
Is Western Foothills Land Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Western Foothills Land Trust (EIN: 16083123) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Western Foothills Land Trust a good charity to donate to?
Western Foothills Land Trust has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.6M. Assets: $3.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Western Foothills Land Trust?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Western Foothills Land Trust is 16083123. 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 Western Foothills Land Trust spend its money?
Western Foothills Land Trust allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Western Foothills Land Trust's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Western Foothills Land Trust's tax-exempt status using EIN 16083123 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
Western Foothills Land Trust demonstrates a generally healthy financial trajectory, marked by significant growth in both revenue and assets over the past decade. The organization's revenue in 2023 reached $2,180,921, a substantial increase from $334,348 in 2014, indicating strong fundraising or grant acquisition capabilities. Assets have also grown consistently, reaching $3,353,392 in 2023, which suggests effective asset management and long-term financial stability for its land conservation mission.
Spending efficiency appears strong, with expenses in 2023 at $1,601,888 against revenue of $2,180,921, allowing for a healthy surplus. A key indicator of efficiency is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and suggests resources are directed towards programs rather than executive salaries. The organization's liabilities have fluctuated but remain manageable relative to its assets, with $320,377 in liabilities against $3,353,392 in assets in 2023.
Transparency is excellent given the consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which simplifies analysis of how funds are allocated. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further enhances transparency, providing a clear historical record of financial operations. Overall, Western Foothills Land Trust appears to be a financially sound and efficiently managed organization.