Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center shows consistent asset growth despite recent operating deficit.
EIN: 20271824 · Holderness, NH · NTEE: C600 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.1M |
| Total Expenses | $3.5M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $3 |
| Net Assets | $11.7M |
| Transparency Score | 80/100 |
Is Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (EIN: 20271824) is a nonprofit organization based in Holderness, NH, classified under NTEE code C600. The organization reported total revenue of $4.1M and total assets of $12.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 59 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.0M |
| Total Expenses | $3.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-503,884 |
| Total Assets | $11.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $193K |
| Net Assets | $11.7M |
| Operating Margin | -16.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 1.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 40.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center reported a deficit of $504K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 40.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 1.6% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -1.2% | +12.1% | +1.8% |
| 2022 | -6.2% | +12.7% | -7.3% |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +9.5% | +9.6% |
| 2020 | -21.1% | -8.7% | +3.5% |
| 2019 | +7.6% | +5.9% | +12.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1967 |
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 Natural Science Center with a Mission Score of 80 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: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% 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 $504K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 1.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization of its size with over $3 million in annual revenue and $11 million in assets. This suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that executive compensation is categorized differently within their financial reporting.
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 Natural Science Center's IRS 990 filings:
- Operating deficit in the most recent fiscal period (202312), with expenses exceeding revenue by over $500,000.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and could obscure executive remuneration practices if not volunteer-led.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Squam Lakes Natural Science Center:
- Consistent growth in assets over the past decade, from $9,143,777 in 2015 to $11,868,784 in 2023, indicating strong financial management and stability.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities of $192,726 against assets of $11,868,784 in 2023, suggesting a healthy balance sheet.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), demonstrating a commitment to transparency and public accountability.
- Generally positive operating margins in most years prior to 2023, indicating effective revenue generation and expense control.
Frequently Asked Questions about Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Is Squam Lakes Natural Science Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (EIN: 20271824) some concerns. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Squam Lakes Natural Science Center spend its money?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center tax-deductible?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20271824). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center CEO make?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's highest-compensated officer earns $3 annually. The organization reported $4.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's spending goes to programs?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Squam Lakes Natural Science Center compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 80/100 (Excellent), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is above average for NTEE category C600 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Squam Lakes Natural Science Center located?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is headquartered in Holderness, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20271824. It is classified under NTEE code C600.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Squam Lakes Natural Science Center have?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center 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 $4.1M in total revenue.
Is Squam Lakes Natural Science Center a good charity?
Based on the available data, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center appears to be a good charity. It demonstrates consistent asset growth, indicating long-term financial stability, and has a strong history of IRS 990 filings, suggesting transparency. The absence of reported officer compensation is a unique characteristic that could be viewed positively in terms of resource allocation.
Why did expenses exceed revenue in 2023?
In 2023, the organization's expenses ($3,526,801) exceeded its revenue ($3,022,917) by over $500,000. The provided data does not specify the reasons for this deficit, but it could be due to significant one-time investments, increased program costs, or a temporary dip in donations. This is a deviation from most prior years which showed surpluses or near break-even operations.
How does the organization manage its executive compensation?
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for officer compensation. This suggests that either the executive leadership is entirely volunteer-based, or their compensation is reported under other expense categories, such as salaries and wages for key employees, rather than specifically as officer compensation. Further detail from the full 990 would be needed to clarify this.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Squam Lakes Natural Science Center showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's revenue has grown by 103.4%, moving from $1.5M to $3.0M. Total assets increased by 104.3% over the same period, from $5.8M to $11.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 102.6%, from $1.7M to $3.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center reported a deficit of $504K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $193K in liabilities against $11.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.6%), resulting in net assets of $11.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.0M | $3.5M | $11.9M | $193K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $3.1M | $3.1M | $11.7M | $175K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.3M | $2.8M | $12.6M | $168K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.5M | $2.5M | $11.5M | $101K | — | — |
| 2019 | $3.2M | $2.8M | $11.1M | $174K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.0M | $2.6M | $9.9M | $226K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.6M | $2.4M | $9.9M | $136K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.1M | $2.3M | $9.4M | $428K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.8M | $2.1M | $9.1M | $62K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.4M | $1.9M | $9.5M | $69K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.5M | $1.9M | $8.9M | $54K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.2M | $1.8M | $7.5M | $32K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.5M | $1.7M | $5.8M | $42K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $11.7M (revenue -6.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $12.6M (revenue +28.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $11.5M (revenue -21.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $11.1M (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $9.9M (revenue +13.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $9.9M (revenue +23.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $9.4M (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue -24.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $9.5M (revenue -30.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $8.9M (revenue +8.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $7.5M (revenue +116.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $5.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Squam Lakes Natural Science Center:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Squam Lakes Natural Science Center 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.