Lowcountry Master Gardener Association

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association maintains stable finances with volunteer leadership and no liabilities.

EIN: 203470368 · Beaufort, SC · NTEE: C42 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$26KRevenue
$33KAssets
92/100Mission Score (Excellent)
C42
Lowcountry Master Gardener Association Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$26K
Total Expenses$18K
Program Spending90%
Net Assets$24K
Transparency Score92/100

Is Lowcountry Master Gardener Association Legit?

Appears Legitimate

GoodFiling Consistency
ExcellentSpending Efficiency
GoodTransparency
NoneRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About Lowcountry Master Gardener Association

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association (EIN: 203470368) is a nonprofit organization based in Beaufort, SC, classified under NTEE code C42. The organization reported total revenue of $26K and total assets of $33K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lowcountry Master Gardener Association's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

16Years Operating
MicroSize Classification
11Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 16 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2013–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 10.2%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$21K
Total Expenses$18K
Surplus / Deficit+$3K
Total Assets$24K
Net Assets$24K
Operating Margin15.7%
Months of Reserves15.7 months

Financial Health Grade: A

In 2023, Lowcountry Master Gardener Association reported a surplus of $3K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 15.7 months of operating reserves (strong position).

Financial Trends

Over 11 years of filings (2013–2023), Lowcountry Master Gardener Association's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023+66.4%+62.8%+16.6%
2022+15.5%+13.7%+9.6%
2021+23.1%-17.8%+8.1%
2020-34.5%-10.5%-14.1%
2019+14.4%+22.8%+2.8%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes2000
IRS Ruling Date2010

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

The Lowcountry Master Gardener Association demonstrates consistent financial stability and a strong commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. The organization has shown steady growth in revenue, increasing from $8,071 in 2014 to $21,284 in 2023, with a corresponding increase in assets from $25,191 to $23,535 (after a dip in 2023). A key indicator of financial health is the consistent absence of liabilities across all reported periods, suggesting sound financial management and no reliance on debt. The organization's small scale and volunteer-driven model likely contribute to its efficient operations. Spending efficiency appears high, particularly given that officer compensation is consistently reported at 0%, indicating a volunteer leadership structure. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not detailed in the provided summary, the overall expense figures are well within the revenue generated in most recent years, allowing for asset accumulation. The organization's focus on its mission is further supported by its NTEE code (C42 - Botanical Gardens & Arboreta), aligning with its Master Gardener activities. Transparency is excellent, with 11 filings available and consistent reporting of key financial metrics. The absence of officer compensation simplifies financial scrutiny and reinforces the organization's dedication to directing resources towards its programs. The consistent positive net assets and lack of liabilities further underscore a well-managed and transparent financial operation for an organization of its size.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Lowcountry Master Gardener Association 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

According to IRS 990 filings, Lowcountry Master Gardener Association allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 0%. 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:

$21KTotal Revenue
$18KTotal Expenses
$24KTotal Assets
$24KNet Assets

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported at 0% across all filings, indicating that the organization is run by volunteers. This significantly reduces administrative overhead and allows more resources to be directed towards its mission.

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.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Lowcountry Master Gardener Association:

Frequently Asked Questions about Lowcountry Master Gardener Association

Is Lowcountry Master Gardener Association a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lowcountry Master Gardener Association (EIN: 203470368) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

How does Lowcountry Master Gardener Association spend its money?

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.

Are donations to Lowcountry Master Gardener Association tax-deductible?

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203470368). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

How does Lowcountry Master Gardener Association compare to similar nonprofits?

With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Lowcountry Master Gardener Association is above average for NTEE category C42 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.

Where is Lowcountry Master Gardener Association located?

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association is headquartered in Beaufort, South Carolina and files with the IRS under EIN 203470368. It is classified under NTEE code C42.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does Lowcountry Master Gardener Association have?

Lowcountry Master Gardener Association has 11 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 $26K in total revenue.

Is Lowcountry Master Gardener Association a good charity?

Based on the available IRS 990 data, the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association appears to be a very good charity. It operates with no reported officer compensation, has consistently low expenses relative to revenue in recent years, and maintains no liabilities, indicating strong financial health and a volunteer-driven model focused on its mission.

How has the organization's revenue trended over time?

The organization's revenue has shown a positive trend, increasing from $8,071 in 2014 to $21,284 in 2023, with a peak in the latest reported revenue at $26,316. This indicates growing support and activity.

Does the organization have any debt?

No, the organization consistently reports $0 in liabilities across all 11 IRS 990 filings, indicating a debt-free operation.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Lowcountry Master Gardener Association showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:

Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2013–2023), Lowcountry Master Gardener Association's revenue has grown by 163%, moving from $8K to $21K. Total assets decreased by 10.4% over the same period, from $26K to $24K. Total functional expenses rose by 81.3%, from $10K to $18K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lowcountry Master Gardener Association reported a surplus of $3K, with revenue exceeding expenses.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $21K $18K $24K $0 View 990
2022 $13K $11K $20K $0
2021 $11K $10K $18K $0 View 990
2020 $9K $12K $17K $0 View 990
2019 $14K $13K $20K $0 View 990
2018 $12K $11K $19K $0 View 990
2017 $8K $11K $18K $0 View 990
2016 $11K $14K $21K $0 View 990
2015 $9K $11K $23K $0 View 990
2014 $8K $9K $25K $0 View 990
2013 $8K $10K $26K $0 View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lowcountry Master Gardener Association:

2023 Filing 2022 Filing 2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2019 Filing 2018 Filing 2017 Filing 2016 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Lowcountry Master Gardener Association 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.

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