Higher Ground International
Higher Ground International shows significant financial growth and no reported officer compensation across all filings.
EIN: 113842652 · Providence, RI · NTEE: L40 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.7M |
| Total Expenses | $442K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Higher Ground International Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Higher Ground International directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Higher Ground International
Higher Ground International (EIN: 113842652) is a nonprofit organization based in Providence, RI, classified under NTEE code L40. The organization reported total revenue of $1.7M and total assets of $2.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Higher Ground International's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Higher Ground International is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 16 years, with 6 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2017–2022). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 80.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.2M |
| Total Expenses | $442K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$768K |
| Total Assets | $1.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $170K |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Operating Margin | 63.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 13.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 35.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2022, Higher Ground International reported a surplus of $768K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 35.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 13.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 6 years of filings (2017–2022), Higher Ground International's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 80.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +116.2% | +50.8% | +83.9% |
| 2021 | +24.6% | -12.0% | +298.8% |
| 2020 | +350.7% | +234.1% | +5043.5% |
| 2019 | +118.4% | +73.7% | -84.3% |
| 2018 | -28.0% | -16.2% | -6.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2010 |
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 Higher Ground International 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, Higher Ground International 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 (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $768K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 13.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Higher Ground International has consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all six available IRS 990 filings, indicating that executive leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated below the reporting thresholds, which is a strong positive for resource allocation.
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 Higher Ground International's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in provided summary data, limiting precise spending efficiency analysis.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Higher Ground International:
- Strong and consistent revenue growth, from $63,376 in 2017 to $1,209,459 in 2022.
- Significant asset growth, from $23,210 in 2017 to $1,288,155 in 2022.
- 0% reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds.
- Positive net income in recent years (e.g., 2022 revenue of $1,209,459 against expenses of $441,871), contributing to asset accumulation.
- NTEE code L40 (International Development, Relief Services) suggests a clear program focus.
Frequently Asked Questions about Higher Ground International
Is Higher Ground International a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Higher Ground International (EIN: 113842652) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Higher Ground International spend its money?
Higher Ground International directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Higher Ground International tax-deductible?
Higher Ground International is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 113842652). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Higher Ground International's spending goes to programs?
Higher Ground International directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Higher Ground International compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Higher Ground International is above average for NTEE category L40 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Higher Ground International located?
Higher Ground International is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island and files with the IRS under EIN 113842652. It is classified under NTEE code L40.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Higher Ground International have?
Higher Ground International has 6 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 $1.7M in total revenue.
Is Higher Ground International a good charity?
Based on the available data, Higher Ground International appears to be a good charity. It demonstrates strong financial growth, increasing revenue from $63,376 in 2017 to $1,209,459 in 2022, and has consistently reported 0% officer compensation, suggesting a high dedication of resources to its mission.
How has Higher Ground International's financial health changed over time?
Higher Ground International has experienced significant financial growth. Its revenue increased from $63,376 in 2017 to $1,209,459 in 2022, and assets grew from $23,210 to $1,288,155 in the same period, indicating a robust expansion.
What is Higher Ground International's approach to executive compensation?
Higher Ground International has reported 0% officer compensation in all six available IRS 990 filings, suggesting a commitment to directing funds towards programs rather than high executive salaries.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Higher Ground International showing financial trends over 6 years of public records:
Over 6 years of IRS 990 filings (2017–2022), Higher Ground International's revenue has grown by 1808.4%, moving from $63K to $1.2M. Total assets increased by 5450% over the same period, from $23K to $1.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 545.6%, from $68K to $442K. In its most recent filing year (2022), Higher Ground International reported a surplus of $768K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $170K in liabilities against $1.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 13.2%), resulting in net assets of $1.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $1.2M | $442K | $1.3M | $170K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $559K | $293K | $701K | $350K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $449K | $333K | $176K | $37K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $100K | $100K | $3K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $46K | $57K | $22K | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $63K | $68K | $23K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2022: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $442K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +116.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $559K, expenses of $293K, and assets of $701K (revenue +24.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $449K, expenses of $333K, and assets of $176K (revenue +350.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $100K, expenses of $100K, and assets of $3K (revenue +118.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $46K, expenses of $57K, and assets of $22K (revenue -28.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $63K, expenses of $68K, and assets of $23K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Higher Ground International:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Higher Ground International 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.