Quick charity verification for Acorn School (EIN: 132569414)
Verdict: Acorn School appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.7MRevenue
$2.5MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of reported officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue, potentially obscuring executive remuneration details.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most reported periods.
Significant reduction in liabilities from $554,885 in 2018 to $37,101 in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
Steady growth in assets from $1,584,502 in 2014 to $2,425,730 in 2023, enhancing long-term stability.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Acorn School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Acorn School
Is Acorn School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Acorn School (EIN: 132569414) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Acorn School a good charity to donate to?
Acorn School has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.7M. Assets: $2.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Acorn School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Acorn School is 132569414. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Acorn School spend its money?
Acorn School allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Acorn School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Acorn School's tax-exempt status using EIN 132569414 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Acorn School demonstrates consistent financial health with a positive net income trend over the past several years. In the latest filing (202306), the organization reported revenues of $1,557,930 against expenses of $1,435,169, resulting in a surplus. This pattern of revenue exceeding expenses is generally positive, contributing to a steady growth in assets, which increased from $1,584,502 in 2014 to $2,425,730 in 2023. The organization's liabilities have also significantly decreased over time, from a high of $554,885 in 2018 to a low of $37,101 in 2023, indicating strong financial management and reduced debt burden.
The spending efficiency appears robust, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to precisely quantify efficiency ratios. However, the overall financial trajectory suggests that the organization is effectively managing its resources to support its operations. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of its financial structure, potentially indicating a volunteer-led executive team or compensation structured in a way not captured under 'Officer Comp' on the 990, which could impact transparency if not further clarified.
Regarding transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods is a strong indicator of compliance and commitment to public disclosure. The detailed financial figures provided in these filings allow for a clear understanding of the organization's financial activities. However, the lack of reported officer compensation could be a point for further inquiry to ensure full transparency regarding executive remuneration, especially for an organization with growing assets and revenues. Overall, Acorn School exhibits a healthy financial position and a good track record of financial reporting.