Shearwater Foundation Inc
Shearwater Foundation Inc. shows strong asset growth and low reported liabilities, but executive compensation transparency is a concern.
EIN: 208075507 · Norfolk, VA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $30.4M |
| Total Expenses | $277K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $16,601,948 |
| Net Assets | $3.6M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Shearwater Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Shearwater Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Shearwater Foundation Inc
Shearwater Foundation Inc (EIN: 208075507) is a nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, VA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $30.4M and total assets of $16.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Shearwater Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Shearwater Foundation Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 18 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 8.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $869K |
| Total Expenses | $277K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$592K |
| Total Assets | $3.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $3.6M |
| Operating Margin | 68.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 155.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Shearwater Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $592K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 155.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Shearwater Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +632.9% | -1.5% | +19.7% |
| 2022 | -1.0% | +0.7% | -5.1% |
| 2021 | -11.0% | +12.0% | -4.8% |
| 2020 | -88.1% | -78.9% | -3.3% |
| 2019 | -85.0% | +22.6% | -68.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2008 |
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 Shearwater Foundation Inc 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, Shearwater Foundation Inc 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 (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $592K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings is highly unusual for an organization with current assets of $16,601,948 and fluctuating revenues, raising questions about the completeness of compensation disclosures.
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 Shearwater Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base, potentially indicating a lack of transparency in executive remuneration.
- Significant discrepancy between 'Latest Revenue' ($30,402,270) and the highest annual revenue in the provided filing history ($7,566,785), requiring clarification.
- Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Shearwater Foundation Inc:
- Strong asset growth from $4,752,200 in 2011 to $16,601,948 currently, indicating effective financial management and accumulation.
- Consistently low reported liabilities (often $1 or $0), suggesting a very healthy balance sheet and minimal debt.
- In the 202312 period, revenue ($868,610) significantly exceeded expenses ($276,575), indicating financial stability and a surplus for future activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shearwater Foundation Inc
Is Shearwater Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Shearwater Foundation Inc (EIN: 208075507) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Virginia. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $30.4M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Shearwater Foundation Inc spend its money?
Shearwater Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Shearwater Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Shearwater Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208075507). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Shearwater Foundation Inc CEO make?
Shearwater Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $16,601,948 annually. The organization reported $30.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Shearwater Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Shearwater Foundation Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Shearwater Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Shearwater Foundation Inc is above average for NTEE category T22 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Shearwater Foundation Inc located?
Shearwater Foundation Inc is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and files with the IRS under EIN 208075507. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Shearwater Foundation Inc have?
Shearwater Foundation Inc has 10 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 $30.4M in total revenue.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all filings?
The IRS 990 filings for Shearwater Foundation Inc. consistently show 0% officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of its size and asset base. This could indicate that officers are uncompensated volunteers, compensated through a related entity, or that compensation is not being reported in the standard section of the 990.
What accounts for the significant difference between the 'Latest Revenue' ($30,402,270) and the highest annual revenue in the filing history ($7,566,785 in 201512)?
The discrepancy between the stated 'Latest Revenue' and the highest annual revenue in the provided filing history suggests either a very recent, large influx of funds not yet reflected in the annual filings, or that the 'Latest Revenue' figure refers to a different aggregate metric or a different reporting period than the individual 990 filings provided.
What are the specific program activities funded by Shearwater Foundation Inc.?
Without a detailed program service expense breakdown from the IRS 990, it is difficult to ascertain the specific program activities. The NTEE code T22 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests it is likely a grantmaking organization.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Shearwater Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Shearwater Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 171.3%, moving from $320K to $869K. Total assets decreased by 24.5% over the same period, from $4.8M to $3.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 10.4%, from $309K to $277K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Shearwater Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $592K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $3.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $3.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $869K | $277K | $3.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $119K | $281K | $3.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $120K | $279K | $3.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $134K | $249K | $3.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.1M | $1.2M | $3.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $7.6M | $963K | $10.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $4.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $211K | $831K | $4.1M | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $549K | $606K | $4.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $320K | $309K | $4.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $869K, expenses of $277K, and assets of $3.6M (revenue +632.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $119K, expenses of $281K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue -1.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $120K, expenses of $279K, and assets of $3.2M (revenue -11.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $134K, expenses of $249K, and assets of $3.3M (revenue -88.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $3.4M (revenue -85.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $7.6M, expenses of $963K, and assets of $10.8M (revenue +482.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +516.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $211K, expenses of $831K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue -61.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $549K, expenses of $606K, and assets of $4.7M (revenue +71.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $320K, expenses of $309K, and assets of $4.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Shearwater Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Shearwater Foundation Inc 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.