Things to keep in mind when you are evaluating an organization's financial health:

• A nonprofit's Form 990 is only a snapshot of the organization's finances at a specific time.
• In general, the organization's total assets should be greater than its total liabilities, or it cannot long survive.
• The kinds of assets and liabilities an organization has also affect its financial health.
  • For instance, current assets (such as cash, receivables, and securities) should cover current liabilities (such as payables, deferred revenue, and current-year loan and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems.
  • On the other hand, if an organization's cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities, the organization may not be putting its money to the best use.
• Financial health is only one criterion for evaluating an organization.