Watered Gardens
Watered Gardens shows consistent growth and strong financial health with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 202586821 · Joplin, MO · NTEE: P20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.1M |
| Total Expenses | $2.3M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2.5 |
| Net Assets | $5.1M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Watered Gardens Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Watered Gardens directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Watered Gardens
Watered Gardens (EIN: 202586821) is a nonprofit organization based in Joplin, MO, classified under NTEE code P20. The organization reported total revenue of $3.1M and total assets of $4.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Watered Gardens's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Watered Gardens is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 17 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 15.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.6M |
| Total Expenses | $2.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$284K |
| Total Assets | $5.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $188K |
| Net Assets | $5.1M |
| Operating Margin | 11.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 3.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 27.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Watered Gardens reported a surplus of $284K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 27.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 3.6% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2011–2023), Watered Gardens's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -28.1% | -0.6% | +9.9% |
| 2022 | +73.1% | +29.7% | +36.6% |
| 2021 | -8.4% | +18.3% | +8.9% |
| 2020 | +65.8% | +47.9% | +133.3% |
| 2018 | +81.1% | +33.5% | +34.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2009 |
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 Watered Gardens with a Mission Score of 92 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Watered Gardens allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $284K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 3.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Watered Gardens has reported 0% officer compensation across all provided IRS 990 filings, indicating that no salaries were paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees. This is highly unusual for an organization of its size, with recent revenues exceeding $2.5 million, and suggests a strong volunteer leadership or alternative compensation structures not captured in this specific data point.
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 Watered Gardens's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed breakdown for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in provided data
- Unusually low liabilities could indicate conservative accounting or specific funding models
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Watered Gardens:
- Consistent revenue growth, from $517,170 in 2014 to $2,582,160 in 2023
- Significant asset growth, from $1,063,681 in 2014 to $5,268,627 in 2023
- Extremely low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial stability (e.g., $188,016 liabilities vs. $5,268,627 assets in 2023)
- 0% reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high dedication of resources to mission
- Positive net income in most recent periods (e.g., $2,582,160 revenue - $2,297,709 expenses = $284,451 surplus in 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions about Watered Gardens
Is Watered Gardens a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Watered Gardens (EIN: 202586821) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Watered Gardens spend its money?
Watered Gardens directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Watered Gardens tax-deductible?
Watered Gardens is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202586821). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Watered Gardens CEO make?
Watered Gardens's highest-compensated officer earns $2.5 annually. The organization reported $3.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Watered Gardens's spending goes to programs?
Watered Gardens directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Watered Gardens compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Watered Gardens is above average for NTEE category P20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Watered Gardens located?
Watered Gardens is headquartered in Joplin, Missouri and files with the IRS under EIN 202586821. It is classified under NTEE code P20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Watered Gardens have?
Watered Gardens has 12 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 $3.1M in total revenue.
Is Watered Gardens a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, Watered Gardens appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent growth in revenue and assets, and a remarkable commitment to directing resources to its mission, as evidenced by the lack of reported officer compensation.
How has Watered Gardens' financial health changed over time?
Watered Gardens has shown significant financial growth and improved health over the past decade. Revenue increased from $517,170 in 2014 to $2,582,160 in 2023, and assets grew from $1,063,681 to $5,268,627 in the same period, indicating robust expansion and asset accumulation.
What is Watered Gardens' approach to executive compensation?
Watered Gardens has consistently reported 0% officer compensation in all available filings. This suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which is a strong indicator of resource dedication to programs.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Watered Gardens showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Watered Gardens's revenue has grown by 462.2%, moving from $459K to $2.6M. Total assets increased by 1046.9% over the same period, from $459K to $5.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 918.9%, from $226K to $2.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Watered Gardens reported a surplus of $284K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $188K in liabilities against $5.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 3.6%), resulting in net assets of $5.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.6M | $2.3M | $5.3M | $188K | — | — |
| 2022 | $3.6M | $2.3M | $4.8M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.1M | $1.8M | $3.5M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.3M | $1.5M | $3.2M | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.4M | $1.0M | $1.4M | $6K | — | — |
| 2017 | $754K | $762K | $1.0M | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $648K | $637K | $1.0M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $246K | $278K | $1.0M | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $517K | $519K | $1.1M | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $576K | $371K | $1.1M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $748K | $352K | $857K | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $459K | $226K | $459K | $2K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue -28.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $4.8M (revenue +73.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue -8.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $3.2M (revenue +65.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +81.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $754K, expenses of $762K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $648K, expenses of $637K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +163.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $246K, expenses of $278K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -52.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $517K, expenses of $519K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -10.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $576K, expenses of $371K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -23.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $748K, expenses of $352K, and assets of $857K (revenue +62.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $459K, expenses of $226K, and assets of $459K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Watered Gardens:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Watered Gardens 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.