Quick charity verification for Brooklyn Music School (EIN: 116000202)
Verdict: Brooklyn Music School appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$3.4MRevenue
$1.8MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth from $1.0M in 2014 to $3.3M in 2023.
Positive net income in recent years (e.g., $364,118 in 2023).
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong governance.
Healthy and growing asset base ($1.8M in 2023) with low liabilities.
Extensive IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) demonstrating strong transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Brooklyn Music School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
12%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
8%
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 Music School
Is Brooklyn Music School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Brooklyn Music School (EIN: 116000202) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Brooklyn Music School a good charity to donate to?
Brooklyn Music School has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $3.4M. Assets: $1.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Brooklyn Music School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Brooklyn Music School is 116000202. 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 Music School spend its money?
Brooklyn Music School allocates 80% to programs, 12% to administration, and 8% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Brooklyn Music School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Brooklyn Music School's tax-exempt status using EIN 116000202 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 Music School demonstrates generally sound financial health, with consistent revenue growth over the past decade, increasing from $1,037,659 in 2014 to $3,380,543 in 2023. The organization has maintained a positive net income in recent years, with revenues exceeding expenses by $364,118 in 2023 and $572,283 in 2022, indicating effective financial management. Their asset base has also shown significant growth, reaching $1,805,447 in 2023, providing a solid foundation for future operations.
Spending efficiency appears strong, as the organization consistently operates with expenses close to or below revenue, suggesting responsible allocation of resources. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the raw data, the overall financial picture indicates a focus on delivering its mission without excessive overhead. The consistent growth in revenue and assets, coupled with controlled expenses, points to a well-managed and sustainable operation.
Transparency is a notable strength, as the organization has a robust filing history with 13 IRS 990 filings, indicating regular and timely reporting of its financial activities. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of strong governance and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive enrichment. This level of transparency fosters trust among donors and the public.