Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited (EIN: 20530663) consistently spends more than it earns, leading to declining assets.
EIN: 20530663 · Campton, NH · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Expenses | $3K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $11K |
| Transparency Score | 45/100 |
Is Trout Unlimited Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Trout Unlimited directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited (EIN: 20530663) is a nonprofit organization based in Campton, NH. The organization reported total revenue of $0 and total assets of $0 according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Trout Unlimited's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Trout Unlimited is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 54 years, with 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2019). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2019)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1K |
| Total Expenses | $3K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,783 |
| Total Assets | $11K |
| Net Assets | $11K |
| Operating Margin | -141.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 41.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2019, Trout Unlimited reported a deficit of $2K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 41.9 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 9 years of filings (2011–2019), Trout Unlimited's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +30.8% | +28.0% | -14.4% |
| 2018 | -23.2% | -65.4% | -10.2% |
| 2017 | -41.5% | +155.3% | -28.9% |
| 2016 | +271.8% | -10.5% | -2.8% |
| 2015 | +142.4% | +42.3% | -10.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1972 |
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 Trout Unlimited with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Trout Unlimited allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2019)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $2K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
No officer compensation has been reported in any of the available filings, suggesting that the organization is likely volunteer-run or that compensation falls below reporting thresholds, which is typical for an organization of this small size and revenue.
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 Trout Unlimited's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent negative net income: Expenses frequently exceed revenue, as seen in 2019 ($1,261 revenue vs. $3,044 expenses) and 2017 ($1,255 revenue vs. $6,882 expenses).
- Declining asset base: Total assets have decreased from $29,700 in 2012 to $10,624 in 2019, indicating a draw-down of reserves.
- Very low revenue: Annual revenue is consistently very low, often under $2,000, which limits program scope and sustainability.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Trout Unlimited:
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history: The organization has consistently filed its IRS 990s, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
- No reported liabilities: The organization consistently reports $0 in liabilities, indicating no outstanding debts.
- Volunteer-run: The absence of officer compensation suggests a volunteer-driven model, which can maximize funds for programs if managed efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trout Unlimited
Is Trout Unlimited a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Trout Unlimited (EIN: 20530663) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Trout Unlimited spend its money?
Trout Unlimited directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Trout Unlimited tax-deductible?
Trout Unlimited is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20530663). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Trout Unlimited's spending goes to programs?
Trout Unlimited directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Trout Unlimited located?
Trout Unlimited is headquartered in Campton, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20530663.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Trout Unlimited have?
Trout Unlimited has 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends.
Is Trout Unlimited (EIN: 20530663) financially stable?
Based on the available data, the organization is not financially stable. It has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in most periods, leading to a decline in assets from $29,700 in 2012 to $10,624 in 2019. For example, in 2019, expenses were $3,044 against revenue of $1,261.
What is the scale of this organization's operations?
The organization operates on a very small scale, with annual revenues typically under $3,000 and expenses under $7,000 in recent years. This suggests it is likely a local chapter with limited financial activity.
Does this organization pay its officers?
No officer compensation has been reported in any of the available IRS 990 filings, indicating that officers are likely unpaid volunteers.
Why is the latest revenue reported as $0 when there are historical filings?
The 'Latest Revenue: $0' in the prompt likely refers to the most recent period not yet filed or a summary error, as the 201903 filing clearly shows revenue of $1,261. The historical filings provide the actual financial data.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Trout Unlimited showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2019), Trout Unlimited's revenue has declined by 55.8%, moving from $3K to $1K. Total assets decreased by 64% over the same period, from $30K to $11K. Total functional expenses fell by 21.5%, from $4K to $3K. In its most recent filing year (2019), Trout Unlimited reported a deficit of $2K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1K | $3K | $11K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $964 | $2K | $12K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1K | $7K | $14K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2K | $3K | $19K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $577 | $3K | $20K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $238 | $2K | $22K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $-1,831 | $4K | $24K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $7K | $7K | $30K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3K | $4K | $30K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2019: Revenue of $1K, expenses of $3K, and assets of $11K (revenue +30.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $964, expenses of $2K, and assets of $12K (revenue -23.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1K, expenses of $7K, and assets of $14K (revenue -41.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2K, expenses of $3K, and assets of $19K (revenue +271.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $577, expenses of $3K, and assets of $20K (revenue +142.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $238, expenses of $2K, and assets of $22K.
- 2013: Revenue of $-1,831, expenses of $4K, and assets of $24K (revenue -126.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $7K, and assets of $30K (revenue +140.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $4K, and assets of $30K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Trout Unlimited:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Trout Unlimited 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.