Rio Grande Return
Rio Grande Return shows significant growth in revenue and assets, with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 208434340 · Lamy, NM · NTEE: C30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.0M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1 |
| Net Assets | $762K |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Rio Grande Return Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Rio Grande Return directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Rio Grande Return
Rio Grande Return (EIN: 208434340) is a nonprofit organization based in Lamy, NM, classified under NTEE code C30. The organization reported total revenue of $2.0M and total assets of $1.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Rio Grande Return's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Rio Grande Return is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 8 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2016–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 30.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.2M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-264,669 |
| Total Assets | $890K |
| Total Liabilities | $128K |
| Net Assets | $762K |
| Operating Margin | -21.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 14.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Rio Grande Return reported a deficit of $265K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 7.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 14.4% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 8 years of filings (2016–2023), Rio Grande Return's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -22.5% | +46.7% | -18.0% |
| 2022 | +38.2% | +30.3% | +127.1% |
| 2021 | +103.3% | +65.1% | +195.6% |
| 2020 | +68.3% | +41.0% | +403.2% |
| 2019 | +59.0% | +55.7% | +532.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Rio Grande Return 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, Rio Grande Return 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $265K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 14.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with over $1 million in annual revenue and assets. This suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is categorized differently, which could warrant further investigation for complete transparency.
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 Rio Grande Return's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 ($1,479,952 vs. $1,215,283), indicating a deficit for that year.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and could indicate a need for further clarity on leadership compensation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Rio Grande Return:
- Significant and consistent growth in revenue over the past several years, from $35,871 in 2017 to over $1.2 million in 2023.
- Substantial growth in assets, from $10,808 in 2017 to $889,891 in 2023, indicating strong financial health and capacity.
- No reported officer compensation, suggesting a highly efficient use of funds or a volunteer-driven leadership.
- Positive net assets (Assets > Liabilities) in all reported periods, demonstrating financial solvency.
- Strong revenue performance in 2022 ($1,567,708 revenue vs. $1,008,708 expenses) indicates effective fundraising and program delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rio Grande Return
Is Rio Grande Return a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rio Grande Return (EIN: 208434340) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Rio Grande Return spend its money?
Rio Grande Return directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Rio Grande Return tax-deductible?
Rio Grande Return is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208434340). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Rio Grande Return CEO make?
Rio Grande Return's highest-compensated officer earns $1 annually. The organization reported $2.0M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Rio Grande Return's spending goes to programs?
Rio Grande Return directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Rio Grande Return compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Rio Grande Return is above average for NTEE category C30 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Rio Grande Return located?
Rio Grande Return is headquartered in Lamy, New Mexico and files with the IRS under EIN 208434340. It is classified under NTEE code C30.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Rio Grande Return have?
Rio Grande Return has 8 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 $2.0M in total revenue.
Is Rio Grande Return financially stable?
Yes, despite a deficit in 2023 where expenses ($1,479,952) exceeded revenue ($1,215,283), the organization has shown significant revenue growth and asset accumulation over the past several years, with assets reaching $889,891 in 2023. This indicates a strong financial foundation built over time.
How has Rio Grande Return's revenue changed over time?
Rio Grande Return has experienced substantial revenue growth, increasing from $35,871 in 2017 to $1,215,283 in 2023, with a peak of $1,567,708 in 2022. This demonstrates increasing support and capacity.
What is the organization's approach to executive compensation?
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings. This is a notable characteristic, suggesting either a volunteer executive leadership or an alternative compensation structure not classified as officer compensation.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Rio Grande Return showing financial trends over 8 years of public records:
Over 8 years of IRS 990 filings (2016–2023), Rio Grande Return's revenue has grown by 553.4%, moving from $186K to $1.2M. Total assets increased by 133517.3% over the same period, from $666 to $890K. Total functional expenses rose by 654.3%, from $196K to $1.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Rio Grande Return reported a deficit of $265K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $128K in liabilities against $890K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 14.4%), resulting in net assets of $762K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.2M | $1.5M | $890K | $128K | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.6M | $1.0M | $1.1M | $58K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.1M | $774K | $478K | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $558K | $469K | $162K | $54K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $331K | $333K | $32K | $14K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $208K | $214K | $5K | $176 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $36K | $27K | $11K | $782 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $186K | $196K | $666 | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $890K (revenue -22.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +38.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $774K, and assets of $478K (revenue +103.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $558K, expenses of $469K, and assets of $162K (revenue +68.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $331K, expenses of $333K, and assets of $32K (revenue +59.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $208K, expenses of $214K, and assets of $5K (revenue +481.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $36K, expenses of $27K, and assets of $11K (revenue -80.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $186K, expenses of $196K, and assets of $666.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Rio Grande Return:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Rio Grande Return 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.