How Black Rock Design Institute 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 Black Rock Design Institute
Is Black Rock Design Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Black Rock Design Institute (EIN: 204156579) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Black Rock Design Institute a good charity to donate to?
Black Rock Design Institute has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $6K. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Black Rock Design Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Black Rock Design Institute is 204156579. 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 Black Rock Design Institute spend its money?
Black Rock Design Institute allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Black Rock Design Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Black Rock Design Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 204156579 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
The Black Rock Design Institute operates on a very small scale, with annual revenues consistently under $10,000. For the latest period (201806), the organization reported revenue of $6,250 and expenses of $7,839, indicating a deficit for the year. This trend of expenses sometimes exceeding revenue is visible in multiple periods, such as 201506 ($5,841 revenue vs. $6,604 expenses). The organization consistently reports $0 in assets and liabilities, suggesting a cash-basis operation with no significant accumulated reserves or debt. This lack of assets, while not inherently negative for a small, project-based entity, means there is no financial cushion to absorb operational shortfalls.
Given the minimal financial activity, the organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond what is typically available for such small filings. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates that executive leadership is unpaid, which is a positive sign for donor funds being directed towards the mission. The organization's transparency is good in terms of filing history, with six consistent filings available, but the limited financial scale means less detailed reporting is required by the IRS.
Overall, Black Rock Design Institute appears to be a very small, volunteer-led organization with limited financial resources. Its consistent operational deficits in some years, coupled with no assets, suggest a precarious financial position, relying heavily on immediate incoming funds to cover expenses. While the lack of executive compensation is a strength, the overall financial health is fragile due to its small scale and occasional spending exceeding revenue.