Squam Lakes Association
Squam Lakes Association shows strong financial growth and asset accumulation with 0% reported officer compensation.
EIN: 20256498 · Holderness, NH · NTEE: C32 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.2M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $11 |
| Net Assets | $11.1M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Squam Lakes Association Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Squam Lakes Association directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Squam Lakes Association
Squam Lakes Association (EIN: 20256498) is a nonprofit organization based in Holderness, NH, classified under NTEE code C32. The organization reported total revenue of $3.2M and total assets of $12.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Squam Lakes Association's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Squam Lakes Association is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 71 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 14.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.7M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.2M |
| Total Assets | $11.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $63K |
| Net Assets | $11.1M |
| Operating Margin | 44.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 89.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Squam Lakes Association reported a surplus of $1.2M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 89.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.6% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Squam Lakes Association's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +46.1% | +16.9% | +17.4% |
| 2022 | +8.6% | +7.1% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | +41.6% | +18.9% | +6.7% |
| 2020 | +16.4% | +4.3% | +6.9% |
| 2019 | +5.4% | +0.1% | +8.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1955 |
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 Squam Lakes Association 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, Squam Lakes Association 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 surplus of $1.2M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Squam Lakes Association consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filing periods, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $11 million and annual revenues over $2.7 million. This suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that executive compensation is categorized differently within their financial statements, warranting 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 Squam Lakes Association's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low reported liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $63,029 liabilities vs. $11,184,522 assets in 2023), which could indicate conservative accounting or minimal debt, but also warrants a closer look at financial structure.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly atypical for an organization of this size and could mask executive benefits or compensation categorized elsewhere.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Squam Lakes Association:
- Strong and consistent revenue growth, particularly in recent years (e.g., $1.2M in 2020 to $2.7M in 2023).
- Significant and steady asset accumulation, indicating robust financial health and long-term stability (e.g., $7.6M in 2015 to $11.1M in 2023).
- Consistent generation of substantial surpluses, with revenues significantly exceeding expenses (e.g., $2.7M revenue vs. $1.5M expenses in 2023).
- Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting minimal debt and strong financial management.
- Consistent IRS 990 filings over 13 periods, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Squam Lakes Association
Is Squam Lakes Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Squam Lakes Association (EIN: 20256498) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Squam Lakes Association spend its money?
Squam Lakes Association directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Squam Lakes Association tax-deductible?
Squam Lakes Association is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20256498). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Squam Lakes Association CEO make?
Squam Lakes Association's highest-compensated officer earns $11 annually. The organization reported $3.2M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Squam Lakes Association's spending goes to programs?
Squam Lakes Association directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Squam Lakes Association compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Squam Lakes Association is above average for NTEE category C32 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Squam Lakes Association located?
Squam Lakes Association is headquartered in Holderness, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20256498. It is classified under NTEE code C32.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Squam Lakes Association have?
Squam Lakes Association has 13 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 $3.2M in total revenue.
How does Squam Lakes Association manage to report 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings is highly unusual for an organization of this scale. It suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership, or that executive compensation is categorized under other expense lines (e.g., 'salaries and wages' for non-officer roles) rather than specifically as 'Officer Comp' on the 990 form. Further detail from the full 990 forms would be needed to clarify this.
What is the primary driver of Squam Lakes Association's significant revenue growth?
The provided data shows a substantial increase in revenue, particularly from $1,216,922 in 2020 to $2,735,430 in 2023. While the specific drivers are not detailed in this summary, such growth typically indicates successful fundraising campaigns, increased grant funding, or expanded program services generating more income. The consistent asset growth suggests effective reinvestment and donor confidence.
What is the organization's long-term financial stability given its asset growth?
The Squam Lakes Association demonstrates strong long-term financial stability, with assets growing consistently from $7,666,781 in 2015 to $11,184,522 in 2023. This steady accumulation of assets, coupled with revenues consistently exceeding expenses, indicates a healthy financial position and the ability to sustain operations and future initiatives.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Squam Lakes Association showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Squam Lakes Association's revenue has grown by 427.3%, moving from $519K to $2.7M. Total assets increased by 65.4% over the same period, from $6.8M to $11.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 142.5%, from $622K to $1.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Squam Lakes Association reported a surplus of $1.2M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $63K in liabilities against $11.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.6%), resulting in net assets of $11.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.7M | $1.5M | $11.2M | $63K | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.9M | $1.3M | $9.5M | $80K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.7M | $1.2M | $9.7M | $76K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.2M | $1.0M | $9.1M | $86K | — | — |
| 2019 | $1.0M | $970K | $8.5M | $106K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $992K | $969K | $7.9M | $100K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $736K | $724K | $8.2M | $107K | — | — |
| 2016 | $1.3M | $708K | $7.8M | $112K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $599K | $683K | $7.7M | $118K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $756K | $708K | $7.8M | $123K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $849K | $664K | $7.7M | $129K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $575K | $628K | $7.1M | $136K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $519K | $622K | $6.8M | $5K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $11.2M (revenue +46.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $9.5M (revenue +8.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $9.7M (revenue +41.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $970K, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +5.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $992K, expenses of $969K, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +34.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $736K, expenses of $724K, and assets of $8.2M (revenue -43.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $708K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue +118.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $599K, expenses of $683K, and assets of $7.7M (revenue -20.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $756K, expenses of $708K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue -10.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $849K, expenses of $664K, and assets of $7.7M (revenue +47.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $575K, expenses of $628K, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $519K, expenses of $622K, and assets of $6.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Squam Lakes Association:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Squam Lakes 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.