Quick charity verification for Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve (EIN: 10699262)
Verdict: Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$70KRevenue
$1.8MAssets
5Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (e.g., $44,122 revenue vs. $135,585 expenses in 202406).
Declining asset base over time, indicating reliance on reserves to cover expenses.
Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial forecasting difficult.
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in provided data, limiting full spending efficiency analysis.
Unusually low liabilities ($1 in recent years) which could indicate minimal operational debt but also potentially limited financial activity beyond asset drawdowns.
Strengths
Substantial asset base ($1,780,174 latest reported) provides a buffer for operations.
Consistent filing history over ten periods demonstrates transparency.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership or very low executive overhead.
Minimal liabilities ($1 in recent years) suggests a debt-free operational approach.
Spending Breakdown
How Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve
Is Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve (EIN: 10699262) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 5 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve a good charity to donate to?
Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $70K. Assets: $1.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve is 10699262. 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 Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve spend its money?
Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve's tax-exempt status using EIN 10699262 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
Willow Creek Refuge & Preserve demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its stable asset base, which has remained substantial despite fluctuating revenues. The organization's financial health, however, shows a concerning trend of expenses frequently exceeding revenue in recent years. For instance, in the 202406 period, expenses were $135,585 against revenues of $44,122, indicating a significant operating deficit. This pattern suggests reliance on its substantial assets ($1,780,174 latest reported) to cover operational costs, which is not sustainable long-term without a corresponding increase in revenue or reduction in expenses.
Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is a positive indicator of minimizing overhead in that area, the overall expense levels relative to revenue suggest potential inefficiencies or a strategic decision to draw down assets for program delivery. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess efficiency. However, the consistent deficits raise questions about the effectiveness of fundraising efforts or the cost-effectiveness of program delivery.
Transparency is generally good, with a consistent filing history over ten periods and clear reporting of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. The absence of officer compensation is a transparent disclosure. However, the lack of detailed functional expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated between programs, administration, and fundraising. This additional detail would enhance transparency and allow for a more precise evaluation of spending efficiency.