Is Birch Grove Community School Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Birch Grove Community School (EIN: 201816956)

Strengths

Consistent growth in revenue, nearly doubling from $371,195 in 201406 to $810,828 in 202306.
0% reported officer compensation across all 13 filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the leadership level.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating strong transparency and compliance.
Positive operating margin in the latest period (202306), with revenues exceeding expenses by $69,689.

Spending Breakdown

How Birch Grove Community School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Birch Grove Community School

Is Birch Grove Community School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Birch Grove Community School (EIN: 201816956) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Birch Grove Community School a good charity to donate to?

Birch Grove Community School has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $993K. Assets: $537K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Birch Grove Community School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Birch Grove Community School is 201816956. 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 Birch Grove Community School spend its money?

Birch Grove Community School allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Birch Grove Community School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Birch Grove Community School's tax-exempt status using EIN 201816956 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

Birch Grove Community School demonstrates consistent operational activity, with revenues and expenses generally increasing over the past decade. In the latest reported period (202306), the organization reported revenues of $810,828 against expenses of $741,139, indicating a surplus for the year. However, the organization has consistently reported liabilities exceeding its assets, with liabilities of $622,113 against assets of $444,853 in 202306. This suggests a reliance on debt or deferred revenue, which warrants closer examination. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to directing funds towards its mission, or that officers are unpaid volunteers, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.

The school's financial health shows a pattern of growth in revenue, from $371,195 in 201406 to $810,828 in 202306, nearly doubling its operational scale. Despite this growth, the persistent negative net asset position (assets minus liabilities) is a concern for long-term financial stability. For instance, in 202306, net assets were -$177,260. While the organization has managed to operate and grow, understanding the nature of these liabilities is crucial for a complete financial picture. The consistent lack of officer compensation is a strong indicator of efficient spending at the leadership level.

Regarding transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods is commendable. The NTEE code B29 (Elementary, Secondary Education) aligns with its name, Birch Grove Community School, suggesting a clear mission focus. The lack of officer compensation across all filings enhances its transparency profile, as it indicates that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization's funds. However, the recurring negative net asset position could be a point of inquiry for potential donors seeking a financially robust organization.

Is Birch Grove Community School Legit?

Verdict: Birch Grove Community School appears trustworthy

Red Flags