Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness

Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness consistently operates with 0% officer compensation and has grown assets significantly over the past decade.

EIN: 10743018 · Ely, MN · NTEE: C30 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$1.7MRevenue

$1.2MAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

C30

About Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness

Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness (EIN: 10743018) is a nonprofit organization based in Ely, MN, classified under NTEE code C30. The organization reported total revenue of $1.7M and total assets of $1.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness demonstrates generally sound financial health, with consistent revenue streams averaging over $2 million in recent years. The organization has shown a healthy growth in assets, increasing from $305,624 in 2014 to $1,599,709 in 2023, indicating effective asset management and accumulation. While there was a deficit in 2022 where expenses ($2,742,040) exceeded revenue ($2,204,965), the organization quickly recovered in 2023 with a significant surplus of over $400,000, demonstrating financial resilience. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, enhancing its transparency and public trust.

The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, particularly given the 0% officer compensation. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in the provided data, a precise efficiency ratio cannot be calculated. However, the consistent surpluses in most years, coupled with asset growth, suggest that the organization is generally managing its expenses effectively relative to its income. The absence of officer compensation is a significant positive indicator for spending efficiency, as it implies a greater proportion of funds are available for direct programmatic activities.

Transparency is a notable strength for Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, with readily available financial data, indicates a commitment to public accountability. The explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a clear and transparent statement about executive remuneration practices, which is highly commendable and builds trust with donors and the public. This level of transparency, combined with consistent financial reporting, positions the organization as a responsible steward of its resources.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness 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, Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness 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

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues consistently exceeding $2 million. This indicates that no officers receive compensation directly from the organization, suggesting a volunteer-led executive structure or compensation through other means not reported as officer compensation.

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 Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness's IRS 990 filings:

Significant deficit in 2022 where expenses exceeded revenue by over $500,000, though recovered in 2023.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness:

Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission spending.
Significant asset growth from $305,624 in 2014 to $1,599,709 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability and effective management.
Strong financial recovery in 2023 with a $429,296 surplus after a deficit in 2022, showing resilience.
Consistent revenue generation, averaging over $2 million in recent years.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), indicating strong transparency and accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions about Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness

How does Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness manage to operate with 0% officer compensation?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings suggests that executive leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or compensated through a different structure not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, such as through a related entity or as general staff wages if they are not considered 'officers' for reporting purposes. This is a significant factor in their financial model.

What caused the significant expense increase and deficit in 2022?

In 2022, expenses ($2,742,040) significantly outpaced revenue ($2,204,965), resulting in a deficit of $537,075. Without further detail from the 990, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but it could be due to a major project, a one-time investment, or an unexpected decrease in funding that year.

How has the organization managed to grow its assets so substantially?

The organization's assets have grown from $305,624 in 2014 to $1,599,709 in 2023. This growth is primarily driven by consistent revenue surpluses in most years, such as the $429,296 surplus in 2023 and $538,749 in 2021, indicating effective financial management and potentially successful fundraising efforts that allow for reinvestment and asset accumulation.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness's revenue has grown by 50503.9%, moving from $5K to $2.6M. Total assets increased by 7203.6% over the same period, from $22K to $1.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 63209.1%, from $3K to $2.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness reported a surplus of $429K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $164K in liabilities against $1.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 10.2%), resulting in net assets of $1.4M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$2.6M	$2.2M	$1.6M	$164K	—	—
2022	$2.2M	$2.7M	$1.2M	$211K	—	View 990
2021	$3.0M	$2.4M	$1.7M	$136K	—	View 990
2020	$2.3M	$2.0M	$1.1M	$129K	—	—
2019	$2.5M	$2.4M	$844K	$153K	—	View 990
2018	$2.2M	$2.2M	$686K	$108K	—	View 990
2017	$1.8M	$1.7M	$661K	$111K	—	View 990
2016	$1.6M	$1.4M	$581K	$111K	—	View 990
2015	$1.5M	$1.4M	$425K	$101K	—	View 990
2014	$671K	$654K	$306K	$51K	—	View 990
2013	$295K	$82K	$248K	$0	—	View 990
2012	$16K	$4K	$34K	$0	—	View 990
2011	$5K	$3K	$22K	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +17.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -25.5% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +27.2% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -6.8% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $844K (revenue +14.4% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $686K (revenue +21.5% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $661K (revenue +13.5% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $581K (revenue +8.4% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $425K (revenue +117.3% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $671K, expenses of $654K, and assets of $306K (revenue +127.3% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $295K, expenses of $82K, and assets of $248K (revenue +1744.0% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $16K, expenses of $4K, and assets of $34K (revenue +212.9% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $5K, expenses of $3K, and assets of $22K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Northeastern Minnesotans For Wilderness 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.