Bears Care
Bears Care consistently operates with zero officer compensation and maintains a stable asset base despite fluctuating annual revenues and expenses.
EIN: 203902715 · Lake Forest, IL · NTEE: T12 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Source Check Matrix
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Identity resolved verified
Bears Care is mapped to EIN 203902715.
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13 stored filing years available.
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13 stored filing years available.
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Workflow Engine
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Triggered by: program expense ratio, CEO salary, revenue, grants
85% program spend, health grade B
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| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.3M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Search Intent Cockpit
Bears Care Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Bears Care is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Bears Care in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $2.6M and expenses of $2.7M.
Revenue and Expenses
Bears Care reported $2.6M in revenue and $2.7M in expenses, a deficit of $99K.
Executive Compensation
Officer, director, trustee, and key employee pay is reviewed from IRS 990 compensation disclosures when present.
Charity Score and Red Flags
90/100 mission score, 0 red flags, and 4 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.
Is Bears Care Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
IRS 990 Data Cockpit
Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes
Revenue Source Mix
Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.
Expense Deployment
| Program services | $2.3M (85%) |
Across stored filings, Bears Care shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
Decision Cockpit
One-Stop Donor, Research, and Peer Context Hub
| Decision Lens | Signal | What to Inspect Next |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Appears Legitimate | Good filing record; no red flags identified |
| Mission spend | 85% to programs | Excellent |
| Financial durability | Grade B | 13 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Shorefront | Illinois and Philanthropy context |
Trust Check
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Bears Care directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bears Care
Bears Care (EIN: 203902715) is a nonprofit organization based in Lake Forest, IL, classified under NTEE code T12. The organization reported total revenue of $3.3M and total assets of $797K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bears Care's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bears Care is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.6M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-98,707 |
| Total Assets | $1.1M |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Operating Margin | -3.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 4.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Bears Care reported a deficit of $99K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 4.9 months of operating reserves (adequate).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Bears Care's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -18.8% | -0.9% | -8.2% |
| 2022 | +59.9% | +18.3% | +66.3% |
| 2021 | +29.7% | +116.8% | -29.3% |
| 2020 | -35.6% | -54.2% | +89.4% |
| 2019 | +14.4% | +1.9% | +17.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Bears Care with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bears Care allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $99K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Bears Care consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is highly efficient for a nonprofit of its size.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bears Care:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating highly efficient leadership spending.
- Zero liabilities reported across all filings, demonstrating strong financial management and no debt.
- Maintains a healthy and growing asset base, reaching over $1.1 million in 202312, providing financial stability.
- Long filing history (13 filings) indicates sustained operation and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bears Care
Is Bears Care a legitimate charity?
Bears Care (EIN: 203902715) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Illinois. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $3.3M. No red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Bears Care spend its money?
Bears Care directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Bears Care tax-deductible?
Bears Care is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203902715). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Bears Care's spending goes to programs?
Bears Care directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Bears Care compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Bears Care is above average for NTEE category T12 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Bears Care located?
Bears Care is headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois and files with the IRS under EIN 203902715. It is classified under NTEE code T12.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bears Care have?
Bears Care has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $3.3M in total revenue.
Is Bears Care financially stable?
Yes, Bears Care appears financially stable. While some years show expenses slightly exceeding revenue (e.g., 202312 and 202112), the organization consistently maintains a healthy asset base, reaching over $1.1 million in 202312, and reports zero liabilities, indicating no debt.
How does Bears Care manage executive compensation?
Bears Care reports 0% officer compensation in all available IRS 990 filings, suggesting a highly efficient model where executive leadership is not compensated directly through officer salaries, or is entirely volunteer-based.
Has Bears Care's revenue been consistent?
Bears Care's revenue has fluctuated over the past decade, ranging from a low of $1,553,716 in 202012 to a high of $3,221,689 in 202212. This variability is common for nonprofits reliant on donations and events.
What is Bears Care's approach to debt?
Bears Care consistently reports $0 in liabilities across all available filings, indicating a strong financial practice of operating without debt.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bears Care showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Bears Care's revenue has grown by 57.5%, moving from $1.7M to $2.6M. Total assets increased by 110.8% over the same period, from $527K to $1.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 61.1%, from $1.7M to $2.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Bears Care reported a deficit of $99K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.6M | $2.7M | $1.1M | $0 | — | — |
| 2022 | $3.2M | $2.7M | $1.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.0M | $2.3M | $728K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.6M | $1.1M | $1.0M | $0 | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.4M | $2.3M | $543K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $2.1M | $2.3M | $461K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.3M | $2.4M | $638K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.6M | $2.5M | $657K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.0M | $2.1M | $476K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.9M | $1.9M | $607K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.5M | $1.4M | $573K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.6M | $1.7M | $461K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.7M | $1.7M | $527K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -18.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +59.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $728K (revenue +29.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -35.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $543K (revenue +14.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $461K (revenue -9.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $638K (revenue -11.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $657K (revenue +31.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $476K (revenue +4.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $607K (revenue +28.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $573K (revenue -7.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $461K (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $527K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bears Care:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bears Care is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.