Bookworm Gardens
Bookworm Gardens consistently grows assets and revenue with zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 202129596 · Sheboygan, WI · NTEE: B90 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.5M |
| Total Expenses | $1.1M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1.5 |
| Net Assets | $4.0M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Bookworm Gardens Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bookworm Gardens directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bookworm Gardens
Bookworm Gardens (EIN: 202129596) is a nonprofit organization based in Sheboygan, WI, classified under NTEE code B90. The organization reported total revenue of $1.5M and total assets of $4.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bookworm Gardens's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bookworm Gardens is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 11.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.6M |
| Total Expenses | $1.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$435K |
| Total Assets | $4.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $140K |
| Net Assets | $4.0M |
| Operating Margin | 28.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 3.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 44.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Bookworm Gardens reported a surplus of $435K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 44.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 3.4% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Bookworm Gardens's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +33.7% | +8.0% | +18.6% |
| 2022 | -1.9% | +22.6% | +4.0% |
| 2021 | +57.9% | +21.7% | +10.9% |
| 2020 | -16.6% | -11.0% | +2.1% |
| 2019 | +20.0% | +14.3% | +4.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Bookworm Gardens with a Mission Score of 92 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, Bookworm Gardens 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 surplus of $435K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 3.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Bookworm Gardens reports 0% officer compensation across all 13 available filings, indicating that its leadership either serves on a volunteer basis or is compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization with over $1.5 million in annual revenue and $4.5 million in assets.
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 Bookworm Gardens's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low liabilities relative to assets, which could indicate conservative financial practices but also potentially missed opportunities for strategic leverage.
- Zero reported officer compensation for an organization of this size is highly unusual and might warrant further inquiry into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bookworm Gardens:
- Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $437,736 in 2014 to $1,550,727 in 2023.
- Healthy asset growth, from $2.5 million in 2014 to over $4.1 million in 2023.
- Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue consistently exceeding expenses.
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
- Low liabilities, suggesting financial stability and minimal debt burden.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bookworm Gardens
Is Bookworm Gardens a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bookworm Gardens (EIN: 202129596) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Bookworm Gardens spend its money?
Bookworm Gardens directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Bookworm Gardens tax-deductible?
Bookworm Gardens is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202129596). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Bookworm Gardens CEO make?
Bookworm Gardens's highest-compensated officer earns $1.5 annually. The organization reported $1.5M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Bookworm Gardens's spending goes to programs?
Bookworm Gardens directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Bookworm Gardens compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Bookworm Gardens is above average for NTEE category B90 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Bookworm Gardens located?
Bookworm Gardens is headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and files with the IRS under EIN 202129596. It is classified under NTEE code B90.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bookworm Gardens have?
Bookworm Gardens 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 $1.5M in total revenue.
Is Bookworm Gardens a good charity?
Based on its financial data, Bookworm Gardens appears to be a very good charity. It consistently generates surpluses, grows its assets, and reports 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial health and a high dedication to its mission.
How has Bookworm Gardens' revenue grown over time?
Bookworm Gardens has shown significant revenue growth, increasing from $437,736 in 2014 to $1,550,727 in 2023, representing over a 250% increase in less than a decade.
What is the organization's asset growth trend?
The organization's assets have steadily grown from $2,504,854 in 2014 to $4,133,465 in 2023, demonstrating effective financial management and accumulation of resources.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bookworm Gardens showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Bookworm Gardens's revenue has grown by 270%, moving from $419K to $1.6M. Total assets increased by 89.6% over the same period, from $2.2M to $4.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 380.9%, from $232K to $1.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Bookworm Gardens reported a surplus of $435K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $140K in liabilities against $4.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 3.4%), resulting in net assets of $4.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.6M | $1.1M | $4.1M | $140K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.2M | $1.0M | $3.5M | $20K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.2M | $842K | $3.3M | $12K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $749K | $692K | $3.0M | $23K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $898K | $778K | $3.0M | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $748K | $681K | $2.8M | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $779K | $606K | $2.8M | $30K | — | — |
| 2016 | $569K | $500K | $2.6M | $14K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $497K | $487K | $2.5M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $438K | $432K | $2.5M | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $507K | $371K | $2.5M | $12K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $505K | $310K | $2.4M | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $419K | $232K | $2.2M | $16K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $4.1M (revenue +33.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue -1.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $842K, and assets of $3.3M (revenue +57.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $749K, expenses of $692K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue -16.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $898K, expenses of $778K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +20.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $748K, expenses of $681K, and assets of $2.8M (revenue -4.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $779K, expenses of $606K, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +37.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $569K, expenses of $500K, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +14.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $497K, expenses of $487K, and assets of $2.5M (revenue +13.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $438K, expenses of $432K, and assets of $2.5M (revenue -13.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $507K, expenses of $371K, and assets of $2.5M (revenue +0.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $505K, expenses of $310K, and assets of $2.4M (revenue +20.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $419K, expenses of $232K, and assets of $2.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bookworm Gardens:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bookworm Gardens 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.