Is Brewster Academy Legit?

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth, from $23,967,420 in 2014 to $33,765,643 in 2023.
Strong asset accumulation, growing from $60,934,136 to $94,737,573 over the last decade.
Consistent operating surplus, indicating sound financial management and sustainability (e.g., $5,246,474 surplus in 2023).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.

Spending Breakdown

How Brewster Academy allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Brewster Academy

Is Brewster Academy a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Brewster Academy (EIN: 20223317) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Brewster Academy a good charity to donate to?

Brewster Academy has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $42.1M. Assets: $105.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Brewster Academy?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Brewster Academy is 20223317. 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 Brewster Academy spend its money?

Brewster Academy allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Brewster Academy's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Brewster Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 20223317 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

Brewster Academy demonstrates consistent financial growth and strong asset accumulation over the past decade. Revenue has steadily increased from $23,967,420 in 2014 to $33,765,643 in 2023, with assets growing from $60,934,136 to $94,737,573 in the same period. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, indicating sound financial management and sustainability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive leadership may be compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, or that the board structure relies on volunteer leadership, which warrants further investigation for complete transparency.

Spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses consistently lower than revenue, allowing for reinvestment and asset growth. For example, in 2023, expenses were $28,519,169 against revenues of $33,765,643, resulting in a significant surplus. The NTEE code B250 indicates a focus on secondary and elementary education, and the financial data supports the capacity to deliver on this mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across these categories is limited.

Transparency regarding executive compensation is a notable area for potential improvement. While the filings consistently report 0% for 'Officer Comp,' this could be misleading if compensation is reported under different categories or if key executives are compensated by related entities. A clearer disclosure of total compensation for key management personnel would enhance the organization's transparency and allow for a more complete financial analysis.

Verdict: Brewster Academy appears trustworthy

Red Flags