Integral Ecology Research Center
Integral Ecology Research Center shows strong program spending and asset growth, with a recent notable increase in liabilities.
EIN: 201687238 · Blue Lake, CA · NTEE: U50 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.1M |
| Total Expenses | $1.7M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1.6M |
| Net Assets | $170K |
| Transparency Score | 88/100 |
Is Integral Ecology Research Center Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Integral Ecology Research Center directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Integral Ecology Research Center
Integral Ecology Research Center (EIN: 201687238) is a nonprofit organization based in Blue Lake, CA, classified under NTEE code U50. The organization reported total revenue of $3.1M and total assets of $923K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Integral Ecology Research Center's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Integral Ecology Research Center is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 21.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.7M |
| Total Expenses | $1.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,966 |
| Total Assets | $1.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $864K |
| Net Assets | $170K |
| Operating Margin | -0.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 83.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Integral Ecology Research Center reported a deficit of $3K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 7.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 83.5% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Integral Ecology Research Center's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +40.5% | +37.1% | +201.6% |
| 2022 | +10.6% | +16.7% | -7.7% |
| 2021 | +76.9% | +55.4% | +46.5% |
| 2020 | -54.7% | -41.1% | -10.4% |
| 2019 | +53.3% | +29.7% | +297.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| 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 Integral Ecology Research Center with a Mission Score of 88 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: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Integral Ecology Research Center allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% 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 deficit of $3K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 83.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of its size and revenue ($1.6M+ in 2023).
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 Integral Ecology Research Center's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant increase in liabilities from $169,757 in 2022 to $863,821 in 2023, warranting further scrutiny.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization with over $1.6 million in annual expenses, which could indicate potential underreporting or reliance on unpaid leadership.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Integral Ecology Research Center:
- Strong program spending ratio, with 90% of expenses allocated to programs in 2023.
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $233,391 in 2014 to $1,687,222 in 2023.
- Significant asset growth, increasing from $8,518 in 2014 to $1,033,913 in 2023, indicating financial capacity building.
- Lean administrative overhead, typically around 5-7% of total expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Integral Ecology Research Center
Is Integral Ecology Research Center a legitimate charity?
Integral Ecology Research Center (EIN: 201687238) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in California. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 88/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $3.1M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Integral Ecology Research Center spend its money?
Integral Ecology Research Center directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 3%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Integral Ecology Research Center tax-deductible?
Integral Ecology Research Center is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201687238). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Integral Ecology Research Center CEO make?
Integral Ecology Research Center's highest-compensated officer earns $1.6M annually. The organization reported $3.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Integral Ecology Research Center's spending goes to programs?
Integral Ecology Research Center directs 90% to programs, 3% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Integral Ecology Research Center compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 88/100 (Excellent), Integral Ecology Research Center is above average for NTEE category U50 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Integral Ecology Research Center located?
Integral Ecology Research Center is headquartered in Blue Lake, California and files with the IRS under EIN 201687238. It is classified under NTEE code U50.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Integral Ecology Research Center have?
Integral Ecology Research Center has 12 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 $3.1M in total revenue.
What caused the significant increase in liabilities to $863,821 in 2023?
The IRS 990 data shows a sharp rise in liabilities from $169,757 in 2022 to $863,821 in 2023. Further investigation into the specific nature of these liabilities (e.g., program-related debt, grants payable, or other obligations) would be necessary to fully understand their impact on the organization's financial health.
How does Integral Ecology Research Center sustain its operations with 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer, or that compensation is structured in a way not captured under 'officer compensation' on the 990. This model, while potentially efficient, could raise questions about long-term leadership sustainability for an organization with over $1.6 million in annual expenses.
What is the organization's strategy for managing its growing assets and liabilities?
With assets growing to over $1 million and liabilities increasing significantly, understanding the organization's financial management strategy, including investment policies and debt management, would provide deeper insight into its long-term stability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Integral Ecology Research Center showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Integral Ecology Research Center's revenue has grown by 757.8%, moving from $197K to $1.7M. Total assets increased by 11390.5% over the same period, from $9K to $1.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 779.1%, from $192K to $1.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Integral Ecology Research Center reported a deficit of $3K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $864K in liabilities against $1.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 83.5%), resulting in net assets of $170K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.7M | $1.7M | $1.0M | $864K | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.2M | $1.2M | $343K | $170K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.1M | $1.1M | $372K | $167K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $614K | $680K | $254K | $83K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.4M | $1.2M | $283K | $47K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $884K | $890K | $71K | $29K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $634K | $626K | $48K | $527 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $492K | $479K | $40K | $5 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $313K | $294K | $27K | $5 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $233K | $228K | $9K | $5 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $113K | $123K | $626 | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $197K | $192K | $9K | $19 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +40.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $343K (revenue +10.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $372K (revenue +76.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $614K, expenses of $680K, and assets of $254K (revenue -54.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $283K (revenue +53.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $884K, expenses of $890K, and assets of $71K (revenue +39.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $634K, expenses of $626K, and assets of $48K (revenue +28.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $492K, expenses of $479K, and assets of $40K (revenue +57.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $313K, expenses of $294K, and assets of $27K (revenue +34.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $233K, expenses of $228K, and assets of $9K (revenue +105.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $113K, expenses of $123K, and assets of $626 (revenue -42.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $197K, expenses of $192K, and assets of $9K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Integral Ecology Research Center:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Integral Ecology Research Center 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.