Water First International
Water First International shows strong financial growth in 2023 with zero officer compensation.
EIN: 202601035 · Seattle, WA · NTEE: T122 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.3M |
| Total Expenses | $1.3M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2 |
| Net Assets | $3.4M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Water First International Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Water First International directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Water First International
Water First International (EIN: 202601035) is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, WA, classified under NTEE code T122. The organization reported total revenue of $2.3M and total assets of $2.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Water First International's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Water First International is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 10.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.6M |
| Total Expenses | $1.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$2.3M |
| Total Assets | $3.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $277K |
| Net Assets | $3.4M |
| Operating Margin | 64.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 7.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 34.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Water First International reported a surplus of $2.3M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 34.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 7.6% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Water First International's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +81.9% | -45.1% | +39.6% |
| 2022 | -15.2% | +13.8% | -5.0% |
| 2021 | -7.6% | +12.0% | +4.7% |
| 2020 | -0.8% | -36.4% | +23.8% |
| 2019 | -12.8% | +17.5% | -6.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Water First International 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, Water First International 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $2.3M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 7.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Water First International consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit of its size with 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 Water First International's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses exceeded revenue in several past years (e.g., 2022, 2019, 2017), indicating periods of deficit spending.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Water First International:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, demonstrating excellent financial stewardship.
- Significant financial surplus in 2023 ($3,582,679 revenue vs. $1,260,927 expenses), indicating strong recent financial performance.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting good transparency and compliance.
- Growing asset base over the long term, from $1.2M in 2014 to $3.6M in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water First International
Is Water First International a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Water First International (EIN: 202601035) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Water First International spend its money?
Water First International directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Water First International tax-deductible?
Water First International is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202601035). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Water First International CEO make?
Water First International's highest-compensated officer earns $2 annually. The organization reported $2.3M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Water First International's spending goes to programs?
Water First International directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Water First International compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Water First International is above average for NTEE category T122 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Water First International located?
Water First International is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and files with the IRS under EIN 202601035. It is classified under NTEE code T122.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Water First International have?
Water First International 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 $2.3M in total revenue.
Is Water First International a good charity?
Based on the provided data, Water First International appears to be a good charity. They consistently report 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial stewardship, and demonstrated significant financial health in 2023 with a large surplus ($3,582,679 revenue vs. $1,260,927 expenses).
How has Water First International's financial health changed over time?
Water First International's financial health has fluctuated. While they experienced deficits in some years (e.g., 2022, 2019, 2017), they achieved a substantial surplus in 2023, with revenues more than doubling expenses, leading to a significant increase in assets from $2,608,315 in 2022 to $3,641,177 in 2023.
What is the trend in Water First International's assets?
Water First International's assets have shown a general upward trend over the long term, increasing from $1,245,076 in 2014 to $3,641,177 in 2023, despite some year-to-year fluctuations.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Water First International showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Water First International's revenue has grown by 225.4%, moving from $1.1M to $3.6M. Total assets increased by 382% over the same period, from $755K to $3.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 13.7%, from $1.1M to $1.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Water First International reported a surplus of $2.3M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $277K in liabilities against $3.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 7.6%), resulting in net assets of $3.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.6M | $1.3M | $3.6M | $277K | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.0M | $2.3M | $2.6M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.3M | $2.0M | $2.7M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.5M | $1.8M | $2.6M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $2.5M | $2.8M | $2.1M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $2.9M | $2.4M | $2.3M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.4M | $2.6M | $1.9M | $1.7M | — | — |
| 2016 | $2.2M | $2.2M | $2.2M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.6M | $2.3M | $2.1M | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.7M | $1.9M | $1.2M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.6M | $1.4M | $1.3M | $997K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.2M | $1.1M | $858K | $668K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.1M | $1.1M | $755K | $661K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.6M (revenue +81.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -15.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $2.7M (revenue -7.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -0.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue -12.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +22.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +7.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue -16.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +56.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +6.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +28.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $858K (revenue +12.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $755K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Water First International:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Water First International 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.