Urban Tilth

Urban Tilth experiences rapid growth in revenue and assets, with a recent deficit in 2023.

EIN: 204124161 · Richmond, CA · NTEE: C42 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$13.8MRevenue

$31.5MAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

C42

About Urban Tilth

Urban Tilth (EIN: 204124161) is a nonprofit organization based in Richmond, CA, classified under NTEE code C42. The organization reported total revenue of $13.8M and total assets of $31.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Urban Tilth's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Urban Tilth demonstrates significant growth in revenue and assets over the past several years, indicating strong donor support and successful program expansion. For instance, revenue surged from $1,735,663 in 2019 to $14,289,982 in 2022, before a slight dip to $7,098,214 in 2023. The organization's assets have also grown substantially, from $1,134,399 in 2019 to $27,233,152 in 2023. This growth suggests effective fundraising and asset management. 

However, the 2023 filing shows expenses exceeding revenue by over $2 million ($9,127,085 in expenses vs. $7,098,214 in revenue), which warrants closer examination to understand if this is a one-time event or a trend. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries. The organization's NTEE code C42 (Environmental Beautification) aligns with its mission, and the financial data generally supports a well-managed, growing nonprofit, despite the recent deficit.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Urban Tilth 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: 80%
fundraising: 10%

According to IRS 990 filings, Urban Tilth allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Urban Tilth consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit of its size and growth.

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 Urban Tilth's IRS 990 filings:

Expenses exceeded revenue by over $2 million in 2023, leading to a deficit for the year.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Urban Tilth:

Exceptional growth in revenue and assets over the past five years, demonstrating strong support and capacity.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high financial transparency and dedication to mission.
Significant asset accumulation, from $1,134,399 in 2019 to $27,233,152 in 2023, providing a strong financial base.
Clear alignment with its NTEE code (C42 - Environmental Beautification) and mission.

Frequently Asked Questions about Urban Tilth

Is Urban Tilth a good charity?

Based on its strong growth in revenue and assets, consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, and clear mission alignment, Urban Tilth appears to be a good charity. The significant program growth and asset accumulation suggest effective use of donations.

Why did expenses exceed revenue in 2023?

In 2023, Urban Tilth reported expenses of $9,127,085 against revenues of $7,098,214, resulting in a deficit of over $2 million. This could be due to one-time capital expenditures, significant program expansion costs, or a temporary dip in funding. Further investigation into the detailed expense breakdown would be needed to understand the specific reasons.

How has Urban Tilth managed its rapid growth?

Urban Tilth has managed significant growth, with assets increasing from $1,134,399 in 2019 to $27,233,152 in 2023. This indicates strong financial management and successful fundraising efforts to support its expanding operations and mission.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Urban Tilth showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:

Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Urban Tilth's revenue has grown by 6397.5%, moving from $109K to $7.1M. Total assets increased by 202331.8% over the same period, from $13K to $27.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 4044.1%, from $220K to $9.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Urban Tilth reported a deficit of $2.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $12.9M in liabilities against $27.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 47.3%), resulting in net assets of $14.4M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$7.1M	$9.1M	$27.2M	$12.9M	—	—
2022	$14.3M	$4.2M	$25.1M	$10.2M	—	View 990
2021	$5.9M	$2.8M	$4.8M	$123K	—	View 990
2020	$3.0M	$2.0M	$2.0M	$350K	—	—
2019	$1.7M	$1.5M	$1.1M	$439K	—	View 990
2018	$1.4M	$1.1M	$685K	$219K	—	View 990
2017	$1.2M	$1.1M	$448K	$237K	—	View 990
2016	$973K	$775K	$248K	$100K	—	View 990
2015	$833K	$937K	$186K	$237K	—	View 990
2014	$578K	$639K	$184K	$140K	—	View 990
2013	$576K	$447K	$129K	$25K	—	View 990
2012	$519K	$556K	$27K	$52K	—	View 990
2011	$493K	$457K	$21K	$8K	—	View 990
2010	$109K	$220K	$13K	$36K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $7.1M, expenses of $9.1M, and assets of $27.2M (revenue -50.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $14.3M, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $25.1M (revenue +142.5% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $4.8M (revenue +98.8% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +70.8% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +23.8% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $685K (revenue +21.8% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $448K (revenue +18.3% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $973K, expenses of $775K, and assets of $248K (revenue +16.8% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $833K, expenses of $937K, and assets of $186K (revenue +44.0% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $578K, expenses of $639K, and assets of $184K (revenue +0.5% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $576K, expenses of $447K, and assets of $129K (revenue +11.0% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $519K, expenses of $556K, and assets of $27K (revenue +5.3% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $493K, expenses of $457K, and assets of $21K (revenue +351.2% year-over-year).
2010: Revenue of $109K, expenses of $220K, and assets of $13K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Urban Tilth 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.