Higher Living Inc
Higher Living Inc. maintains balanced operations with declining assets and no officer compensation.
EIN: 10601868 · Winston Salem, NC · NTEE: L20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Higher Living Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Higher Living Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Higher Living Inc
Higher Living Inc (EIN: 10601868) is a nonprofit organization based in Winston Salem, NC, classified under NTEE code L20. The organization reported total revenue of $290K and total assets of $717K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Higher Living Inc'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 Higher Living Inc with a Mission Score of 85 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 Living Inc 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
Higher Living Inc. consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all nine years of filings, indicating that its leadership is entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is highly favorable for donor confidence.
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 Living Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent decline in total assets over the past nine years, from $1,109,047 in 2015 to $764,798 in 2023, which could impact long-term stability.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Higher Living Inc:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all nine years, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
- Revenues and expenses are generally well-matched, suggesting tight financial management and that funds are being utilized for operations.
- Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over nine years demonstrates a commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Higher Living Inc
Is Higher Living Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Higher Living Inc (EIN: 10601868) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Higher Living Inc spend its money?
Higher Living Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Higher Living Inc tax-deductible?
Higher Living Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10601868). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Why have Higher Living Inc.'s assets steadily declined from $1,109,047 in 2015 to $764,798 in 2023?
The consistent decline in assets, alongside a reduction in liabilities, suggests a potential strategic decision to divest certain assets or a natural depreciation without significant new acquisitions. Further details from the full 990 forms would be needed to understand the specific reasons and impact on operations.
How does Higher Living Inc. manage to operate with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation implies that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is a strong indicator of dedication and efficient use of funds.
What is the specific breakdown of program expenses for Higher Living Inc.?
While the provided data indicates overall expenses, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not available. This information would be crucial for a more precise assessment of spending efficiency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Higher Living Inc showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2015–2023), Higher Living Inc's revenue has grown by 26.1%, moving from $221K to $279K. Total assets decreased by 31% over the same period, from $1.1M to $765K. Total functional expenses rose by 29.5%, from $213K to $276K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Higher Living Inc reported a surplus of $3K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $174K in liabilities against $765K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 22.7%), resulting in net assets of $591K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $279K | $276K | $765K | $174K | — | — |
| 2022 | $275K | $259K | $823K | $235K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $268K | $269K | $855K | $283K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $264K | $226K | $908K | $336K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $264K | $238K | $924K | $382K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $267K | $252K | $943K | $427K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $240K | $302K | $996K | $495K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $221K | $228K | $1.1M | $513K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $221K | $213K | $1.1M | $538K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $279K, expenses of $276K, and assets of $765K (revenue +1.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $275K, expenses of $259K, and assets of $823K (revenue +2.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $268K, expenses of $269K, and assets of $855K (revenue +1.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $264K, expenses of $226K, and assets of $908K (revenue -0.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $264K, expenses of $238K, and assets of $924K (revenue -1.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $267K, expenses of $252K, and assets of $943K (revenue +11.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $240K, expenses of $302K, and assets of $996K (revenue +8.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $221K, expenses of $228K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -0.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $221K, expenses of $213K, and assets of $1.1M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Higher Living Inc 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.