Quick charity verification for Brooklyn Free School Association (EIN: 201506040)
Verdict: Brooklyn Free School Association appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.2MRevenue
$1.5MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant decline in assets over the past decade (from $2,011,999 in 2013 to $1,491,901 in 2022)
Inconsistent financial performance with several years where expenses exceeded revenue prior to 2022.
Strengths
Significant financial surplus in the latest reporting period (202206) with revenue of $2,186,918 against expenses of $902,339.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Improved financial stability in the most recent year, reversing previous trends of expenses exceeding revenue.
Spending Breakdown
How Brooklyn Free School Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Brooklyn Free School Association
Is Brooklyn Free School Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Brooklyn Free School Association (EIN: 201506040) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Brooklyn Free School Association a good charity to donate to?
Brooklyn Free School Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Brooklyn Free School Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Brooklyn Free School Association is 201506040. 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 Brooklyn Free School Association spend its money?
Brooklyn Free School Association allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Brooklyn Free School Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Brooklyn Free School Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 201506040 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 Brooklyn Free School Association demonstrates a mixed financial picture. In the most recent period (202206), the organization reported a significant surplus with revenue of $2,186,918 against expenses of $902,339, which is a substantial improvement from previous years where expenses often exceeded revenue. However, the organization has experienced a notable decline in assets over the past decade, from $2,011,999 in 2013 to $1,491,901 in 2022, alongside fluctuating liabilities. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this area and suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The organization's financial health appears to be stabilizing and improving in the latest period, but a long-term trend of asset decline warrants attention.