Is Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation (EIN: 20452194)
Verdict: Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$127KRevenue
$151KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses occasionally exceed revenue, such as in 2024 where expenses ($73,320) were higher than revenue ($66,599), which could lead to drawing down reserves if not managed.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication to mission.
Steady growth in assets from $47,403 in 2015 to $141,520 in 2024, demonstrating financial stability and prudent management.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 periods), providing excellent transparency and accountability.
Relatively low liabilities compared to assets, suggesting a healthy balance sheet (e.g., $6,517 liabilities vs. $141,520 assets in 2024).
Spending Breakdown
How Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation 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 Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation
Is Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation (EIN: 20452194) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $127K. Assets: $151K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation is 20452194. 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 Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation spend its money?
Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 20452194 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
Wildcat Mountain Alpine Education Foundation demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues fluctuating between approximately $65,000 and $107,000 over the past several years. The organization's assets have shown a steady growth trend, increasing from $47,403 in 2015 to $141,520 in 2024, indicating sound financial management and accumulation of resources. While expenses have sometimes exceeded revenue, such as in 2024 where expenses were $73,320 against revenue of $66,599, the overall trend shows a healthy asset base relative to its operational size.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that the organization is run by volunteers or that compensation is minimal and not reported in this category, allowing a greater proportion of funds to be directed towards its mission. The absence of officer compensation is a significant positive indicator for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.
Transparency is high due to the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods, providing a clear historical financial record. The detailed breakdown of revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities in each filing allows for a thorough analysis of its financial health and operational trends. The consistent growth in assets, coupled with no reported officer compensation, paints a picture of a well-managed and mission-focused organization.