Watershed Institute Inc
Watershed Institute maintains strong assets despite fluctuating revenues and recent deficit spending.
EIN: 210649717 · Pennington, NJ · NTEE: C600 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.9M |
| Total Expenses | $4.8M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $32.8M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Watershed Institute Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Watershed Institute Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Watershed Institute Inc
Watershed Institute Inc (EIN: 210649717) is a nonprofit organization based in Pennington, NJ, classified under NTEE code C600. The organization reported total revenue of $5.9M and total assets of $34.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Watershed Institute Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Watershed Institute Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 73 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.9M |
| Total Expenses | $4.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-896,603 |
| Total Assets | $33.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $577K |
| Net Assets | $32.8M |
| Operating Margin | -22.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 1.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 83.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Watershed Institute Inc reported a deficit of $897K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 83.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 1.7% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Watershed Institute Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -24.7% | +5.0% | +4.8% |
| 2022 | -26.4% | +12.4% | -9.4% |
| 2021 | -45.9% | +39.3% | +15.7% |
| 2020 | +352.9% | -10.7% | +57.5% |
| 2019 | -6.4% | +20.2% | +3.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1800 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1953 |
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 Watershed Institute Inc 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: 10%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Watershed Institute Inc 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 deficit of $897K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, which is highly commendable for directing resources to its mission.
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 Watershed Institute Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses exceeded revenue by nearly $900,000 in the 2023 filing ($4,815,095 vs. $3,918,492).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Watershed Institute Inc:
- Strong and growing asset base, reaching $33,343,202 in 2023 from $14,916,244 in 2015.
- Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating strong financial health.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Watershed Institute Inc
Is Watershed Institute Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Watershed Institute Inc (EIN: 210649717) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Watershed Institute Inc spend its money?
Watershed Institute Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Watershed Institute Inc tax-deductible?
Watershed Institute Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 210649717). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Watershed Institute Inc's spending goes to programs?
Watershed Institute Inc directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Watershed Institute Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Watershed Institute Inc is above average for NTEE category C600 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Watershed Institute Inc located?
Watershed Institute Inc is headquartered in Pennington, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 210649717. It is classified under NTEE code C600.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Watershed Institute Inc have?
Watershed Institute Inc 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 $5.9M in total revenue.
Is Watershed Institute Inc. financially stable?
Yes, despite a deficit in the latest 2023 filing where expenses ($4,815,095) exceeded revenue ($3,918,492), the organization maintains substantial assets of $33,343,202 and relatively low liabilities ($577,425), indicating strong financial stability.
How has the organization's revenue trended recently?
Revenue has fluctuated significantly, decreasing from $7,070,996 in 2021 to $5,202,568 in 2022, and further to $3,918,492 in 2023, after a peak of $13,067,773 in 2020.
Does the organization pay its executives?
Based on the available IRS 990 filings, the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting no salaries are paid to its officers.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Watershed Institute Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Watershed Institute Inc's revenue has grown by 10.8%, moving from $3.5M to $3.9M. Total assets increased by 183.5% over the same period, from $11.8M to $33.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 210.4%, from $1.6M to $4.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Watershed Institute Inc reported a deficit of $897K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $577K in liabilities against $33.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%), resulting in net assets of $32.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.9M | $4.8M | $33.3M | $577K | — | — |
| 2022 | $5.2M | $4.6M | $31.8M | $130K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $7.1M | $4.1M | $35.1M | $1.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $13.1M | $2.9M | $30.4M | $109K | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.9M | $3.3M | $19.3M | $169K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.1M | $2.7M | $18.7M | $151K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.3M | $2.5M | $18.8M | $174K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $5.2M | $2.2M | $18.1M | $168K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.2M | $2.1M | $14.9M | $107K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.2M | $1.8M | $16.2M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.7M | $1.6M | $14.5M | $147K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.9M | $1.6M | $13.2M | $56K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.5M | $1.6M | $11.8M | $41K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $33.3M (revenue -24.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $31.8M (revenue -26.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $7.1M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $35.1M (revenue -45.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $13.1M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $30.4M (revenue +352.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $19.3M (revenue -6.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $18.7M (revenue -5.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $18.8M (revenue -36.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $18.1M (revenue +137.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $14.9M (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $16.2M (revenue -17.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $14.5M (revenue -8.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $13.2M (revenue -17.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $11.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Watershed Institute Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Watershed Institute Inc 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.