Consistent 0% officer compensation may indicate uncompensated leadership or compensation reported under other categories, which could obscure a full picture of executive costs.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, nearly doubling from $240,584 in 2014 to $462,149 in 2023.
Significant asset growth, increasing five-fold from $203,205 in 2014 to $1,060,399 in 2023.
Remarkable consistency in reporting 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings, suggesting a strong focus on program spending.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial stability and responsible debt management.
Positive net income in most years, contributing to asset accumulation.
Spending Breakdown
How Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc 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 Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc
Is Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc (EIN: 134256302) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc a good charity to donate to?
Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $590K. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc is 134256302. 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 Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc spend its money?
Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134256302 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
Wilderness Leadership & Learning Inc (WILL) demonstrates consistent financial growth and strong program spending efficiency. Over the past decade, the organization has seen its revenue grow from $240,584 in 2014 to $462,149 in 2023, with assets increasing significantly from $203,205 to $1,060,399 in the same period. This growth indicates a healthy financial trajectory and effective asset management. The organization consistently allocates a substantial portion of its expenses directly to program services, as evidenced by its low administrative and fundraising costs.
In the latest filing (202309), WILL reported expenses of $388,914. While specific functional expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to minimizing overhead and maximizing resources for its mission. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, indicating good financial stability and responsible debt management. The substantial growth in assets, particularly from 2021 to 2023, suggests successful fundraising and prudent financial stewardship.
Overall, WILL appears to be a financially sound and efficient nonprofit. Its consistent growth, low liabilities, and lack of reported officer compensation point to a well-managed organization focused on its programmatic goals. The significant increase in assets over time further solidifies its financial health and capacity for future impact.