Northland Words
Northland Words reports zero revenue and assets in its latest filing, contrasting with historical financial activity.
EIN: 205335608 · Chatfield, MN · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Expenses | $122K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $8K |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Northland Words Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Northland Words directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Northland Words
Northland Words (EIN: 205335608) is a nonprofit organization based in Chatfield, MN. The organization reported total revenue of $0 and total assets of $0 according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Northland Words's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Northland Words is a small nonprofit, with 5 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2015). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -8.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2015)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $132K |
| Total Expenses | $122K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$10K |
| Total Assets | $10K |
| Total Liabilities | $2K |
| Net Assets | $8K |
| Operating Margin | 7.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 18.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2015, Northland Words reported a surplus of $10K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 0.9 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 18.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 5 years of filings (2011–2015), Northland Words's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | -29.3% | -37.4% | -56.3% |
| 2014 | +46.7% | +44.7% | +6.8% |
| 2013 | +2.1% | +22.5% | +29.1% |
| 2012 | -32.7% | -50.8% | +657.0% |
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Northland Words with a Mission Score of 65 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Northland Words allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2015)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $10K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 18.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer channels, which is highly efficient for an organization of this size.
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 Northland Words's IRS 990 filings:
- Latest filing reports $0 revenue and assets, contradicting historical financial activity.
- Expenses frequently exceeded revenue in historical filings (e.g., 2014, 2013, 2011), indicating periods of deficit spending.
- NTEE code is unknown, which can make it harder to categorize and compare the organization's mission and activities.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Northland Words:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
- Historically maintained modest assets, suggesting some financial management, despite periods of deficit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Northland Words
Is Northland Words a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Northland Words (EIN: 205335608) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Northland Words spend its money?
Northland Words directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Northland Words tax-deductible?
Northland Words is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 205335608). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Northland Words's spending goes to programs?
Northland Words directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Northland Words located?
Northland Words is headquartered in Chatfield, Minnesota and files with the IRS under EIN 205335608.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Northland Words have?
Northland Words has 5 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends.
Why does the latest filing show $0 revenue and assets, while previous filings show financial activity?
The discrepancy between the latest filing's zero figures and historical financial data (e.g., $131,822 revenue in 2015) needs clarification. It could indicate a cessation of operations, a significant reporting error, or a change in filing status.
Is Northland Words still an active organization?
The latest filing showing $0 revenue and assets raises questions about the organization's current operational status. Further investigation into their activities beyond the IRS filings would be necessary to confirm.
What are the primary sources of funding for Northland Words?
Based on historical revenue figures (e.g., $186,537 in 2014), the organization has received funding, but the specific sources (donations, grants, program service revenue) are not detailed in the provided data.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Northland Words showing financial trends over 5 years of public records:
Over 5 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2015), Northland Words's revenue has declined by 28.7%, moving from $185K to $132K. Total assets increased by 355.8% over the same period, from $2K to $10K. Total functional expenses fell by 45.4%, from $224K to $122K. In its most recent filing year (2015), Northland Words reported a surplus of $10K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $2K in liabilities against $10K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 18.9%), resulting in net assets of $8K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $132K | $122K | $10K | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $187K | $195K | $22K | $24K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $127K | $135K | $20K | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $124K | $110K | $16K | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $185K | $224K | $2K | $6K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2015: Revenue of $132K, expenses of $122K, and assets of $10K (revenue -29.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $187K, expenses of $195K, and assets of $22K (revenue +46.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $127K, expenses of $135K, and assets of $20K (revenue +2.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $124K, expenses of $110K, and assets of $16K (revenue -32.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $185K, expenses of $224K, and assets of $2K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Northland Words:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Northland Words 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.