Whistle Stop
Whistle Stop faces significant financial challenges with persistent deficit spending and liabilities exceeding assets.
EIN: 20693757 · Lake Charles, LA · NTEE: P30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $349K |
| Total Expenses | $313K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $75,731 |
| Net Assets | $-126,404 |
| Transparency Score | 60/100 |
Is Whistle Stop Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Whistle Stop directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Whistle Stop
Whistle Stop (EIN: 20693757) is a nonprofit organization based in Lake Charles, LA, classified under NTEE code P30. The organization reported total revenue of $349K and total assets of $259K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Whistle Stop's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Whistle Stop is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $272K |
| Total Expenses | $313K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-40,439 |
| Total Assets | $259K |
| Total Liabilities | $385K |
| Net Assets | $-126,404 |
| Operating Margin | -14.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 148.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 9.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Whistle Stop reported a deficit of $40K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 9.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 148.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Whistle Stop's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +11.4% | +39.8% | -12.6% |
| 2022 | +88.0% | +26.3% | +1981.8% |
| 2021 | +71.6% | +41.6% | +50.9% |
| 2020 | -58.3% | -32.7% | +5.6% |
| 2019 | -33.3% | -32.5% | -24.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
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 Whistle Stop with a Mission Score of 60 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Whistle Stop allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. 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 $40K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 148.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Whistle Stop has consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or other compensation were paid to its officers. This suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive pay, especially for an organization with revenues fluctuating between $75,731 and $349,152.
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 Whistle Stop's IRS 990 filings:
- Persistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue in multiple years, e.g., 2023, 2021, 2020).
- Liabilities significantly exceed assets ($385,065 liabilities vs. $258,661 assets in 2023).
- Negative net assets, indicating a precarious financial position.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Whistle Stop:
- Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, indicating transparency.
- 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting efficient use of funds regarding executive pay.
Frequently Asked Questions about Whistle Stop
Is Whistle Stop a legitimate charity?
Whistle Stop (EIN: 20693757) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Louisiana. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 60/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $349K. 3 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Whistle Stop spend its money?
Whistle Stop directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Whistle Stop tax-deductible?
Whistle Stop is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20693757). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Whistle Stop CEO make?
Whistle Stop's highest-compensated officer earns $75,731 annually. The organization reported $349K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Whistle Stop's spending goes to programs?
Whistle Stop directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Whistle Stop compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 60/100 (Good), Whistle Stop is above average for NTEE category P30 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Whistle Stop located?
Whistle Stop is headquartered in Lake Charles, Louisiana and files with the IRS under EIN 20693757. It is classified under NTEE code P30.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Whistle Stop have?
Whistle Stop 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 $349K in total revenue.
Is Whistle Stop financially stable?
No, Whistle Stop does not appear financially stable. In 2023, its liabilities ($385,065) significantly exceeded its assets ($258,661), and it incurred a net loss of $40,439 ($312,536 expenses vs. $272,097 revenue). This trend of deficit spending and high liabilities is a concern.
How has Whistle Stop's revenue trended recently?
Whistle Stop's revenue has shown growth in recent years, increasing from $129,949 in 2021 to $244,294 in 2022, and further to $272,097 in 2023. However, this growth has not consistently outpaced expenses.
What is the biggest financial concern for Whistle Stop?
The biggest financial concern for Whistle Stop is its high and growing liabilities, which reached $385,065 in 2023, significantly surpassing its assets of $258,661. This indicates a negative net asset position and potential solvency issues.
Does Whistle Stop pay its executives?
Based on the IRS 990 filings, Whistle Stop has consistently reported 0% officer compensation, indicating that no salaries or other compensation were paid to its officers during the periods reviewed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Whistle Stop showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Whistle Stop's revenue has grown by 46.1%, moving from $186K to $272K. Total assets increased by 1914.3% over the same period, from $13K to $259K. Total functional expenses rose by 55%, from $202K to $313K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Whistle Stop reported a deficit of $40K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $385K in liabilities against $259K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 148.9%), resulting in net assets of $-126,404.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $272K | $313K | $259K | $385K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $244K | $223K | $296K | $374K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $130K | $177K | $14K | $113K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $76K | $125K | $9K | $59K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $181K | $186K | $9K | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $272K | $275K | $12K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $308K | $299K | $11K | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $261K | $268K | $10K | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $265K | $254K | $21K | $12K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $227K | $245K | $24K | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $168K | $165K | $34K | $13K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $216K | $195K | $28K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $186K | $202K | $13K | $12K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $272K, expenses of $313K, and assets of $259K (revenue +11.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $244K, expenses of $223K, and assets of $296K (revenue +88.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $130K, expenses of $177K, and assets of $14K (revenue +71.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $76K, expenses of $125K, and assets of $9K (revenue -58.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $181K, expenses of $186K, and assets of $9K (revenue -33.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $272K, expenses of $275K, and assets of $12K (revenue -11.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $308K, expenses of $299K, and assets of $11K (revenue +18.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $261K, expenses of $268K, and assets of $10K (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $265K, expenses of $254K, and assets of $21K (revenue +16.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $227K, expenses of $245K, and assets of $24K (revenue +35.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $168K, expenses of $165K, and assets of $34K (revenue -22.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $216K, expenses of $195K, and assets of $28K (revenue +15.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $186K, expenses of $202K, and assets of $13K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Whistle Stop:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Whistle Stop 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.