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
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 →
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.
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.
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?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bears Care (EIN: 203902715) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Bears Care spend its money?
Bears Care directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
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.
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.
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.