Blue Springs Nature Preserve
Blue Springs Nature Preserve faces severe financial distress with persistent operating deficits and declining assets.
EIN: 203980234 · Birmingham, AL · NTEE: C20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Blue Springs Nature Preserve Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Blue Springs Nature Preserve directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Blue Springs Nature Preserve
Blue Springs Nature Preserve (EIN: 203980234) is a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, AL, classified under NTEE code C20. The organization reported total revenue of $784 and total assets of $21K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Blue Springs Nature Preserve's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Blue Springs Nature Preserve is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 18 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1K |
| Total Expenses | $14K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-12,878 |
| Total Assets | $37K |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $37K |
| Operating Margin | -1163.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 31.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Blue Springs Nature Preserve reported a deficit of $13K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 31.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Blue Springs Nature Preserve's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +289.8% | +76.6% | -26.0% |
| 2022 | +1570.6% | -18.4% | -13.4% |
| 2021 | -66.7% | +26.8% | -14.5% |
| 2020 | -3.8% | -50.9% | -10.2% |
| 2019 | -85.3% | +48.5% | -40.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2008 |
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 Blue Springs Nature Preserve with a Mission Score of 30 out of 100 (Poor). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Blue Springs Nature Preserve allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $13K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
No officer compensation has been reported across all ten filings, indicating either an entirely volunteer-led organization or that compensation is handled outside of typical reporting, which is unusual for an organization with consistent expenses.
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.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Blue Springs Nature Preserve's IRS 990 filings:
- Persistent and significant operating deficits (e.g., $1,107 revenue vs. $13,985 expenses in 2023).
- Steep decline in assets over time (from $143,883 in 2011 to $36,579 in 2023).
- Revenue consistently insufficient to cover expenses across multiple years.
- Very low current revenue ($784 latest reported) relative to historical expenses.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Blue Springs Nature Preserve:
- No reported officer compensation, indicating potential for volunteer leadership or highly efficient compensation structure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Springs Nature Preserve
Is Blue Springs Nature Preserve a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Blue Springs Nature Preserve (EIN: 203980234) significant concerns. Mission Score: 30/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
How does Blue Springs Nature Preserve spend its money?
Blue Springs Nature Preserve directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Blue Springs Nature Preserve tax-deductible?
Blue Springs Nature Preserve is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203980234). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Blue Springs Nature Preserve a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, Blue Springs Nature Preserve is facing significant financial challenges, with expenses consistently far exceeding revenue and a substantial decline in assets over time. While the mission may be noble, its financial sustainability is highly questionable, which impacts its effectiveness as a charity.
How does Blue Springs Nature Preserve fund its operations?
The data suggests that Blue Springs Nature Preserve is primarily funding its operations by drawing down its assets, as evidenced by the consistent decline from $143,883 in 2011 to $36,579 in 2023, given that revenue consistently falls far short of expenses.
What is the long-term financial outlook for Blue Springs Nature Preserve?
The long-term financial outlook appears bleak without significant intervention. The organization has been operating at a substantial deficit for many years, leading to a rapid depletion of its asset base. This trend is unsustainable and suggests a high risk of insolvency if not addressed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Blue Springs Nature Preserve showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Blue Springs Nature Preserve's revenue has grown by 54.8%, moving from $715 to $1K. Total assets decreased by 74.6% over the same period, from $144K to $37K. Total functional expenses rose by 1897.9%, from $700 to $14K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Blue Springs Nature Preserve reported a deficit of $13K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $37K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $37K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1K | $14K | $37K | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $284 | $8K | $49K | $1 | — | — |
| 2021 | $17 | $10K | $57K | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $51 | $8K | $67K | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $53 | $16K | $74K | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $360 | $11K | $124K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $553 | $10K | $135K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $573 | $700 | $144K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $545 | $700 | $144K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $715 | $700 | $144K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1K, expenses of $14K, and assets of $37K (revenue +289.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $284, expenses of $8K, and assets of $49K (revenue +1570.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $17, expenses of $10K, and assets of $57K (revenue -66.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $51, expenses of $8K, and assets of $67K (revenue -3.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $53, expenses of $16K, and assets of $74K (revenue -85.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $360, expenses of $11K, and assets of $124K (revenue -34.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $553, expenses of $10K, and assets of $135K (revenue -3.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $573, expenses of $700, and assets of $144K (revenue +5.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $545, expenses of $700, and assets of $144K (revenue -23.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $715, expenses of $700, and assets of $144K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Blue Springs Nature Preserve:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Blue Springs Nature Preserve 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.