Is Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School Legit?
Quick charity verification for Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School (EIN: 200723492)
Verdict: Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$26.0MRevenue
$56.5MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed breakdown for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in provided summary data, making precise efficiency calculations difficult (though 0% officer comp is positive).
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth, from $5.19M in 2014 to $22.55M in 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high transparency and mission focus.
Strong asset growth, from $2.38M in 2014 to $39.13M in 2023, suggesting robust investment in the organization's capacity.
Healthy financial position with assets consistently exceeding liabilities, demonstrating stability.
Expenses closely align with revenue, indicating efficient utilization of funds for operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School
Is Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School (EIN: 200723492) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School a good charity to donate to?
Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $26.0M. Assets: $56.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School is 200723492. 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 Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School spend its money?
Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 200723492 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
Buffalo Academy Of Science Charter School demonstrates strong financial growth and a clear commitment to its program services. Over the past decade, the organization's revenue has grown significantly from $5.19 million in 2014 to $22.55 million in 2023, with assets increasing from $2.38 million to $39.13 million in the same period. This consistent growth indicates effective management and increasing support for its educational mission. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a notable indicator of financial transparency and a focus on directing resources to its programs rather than executive salaries.
The school's spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally tracking closely to revenue, indicating that funds are being utilized for operations. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $21.91 million against revenues of $22.55 million, showing a high utilization rate of incoming funds. The NTEE code B29 (Elementary & Secondary Schools) aligns well with its mission as a charter school, suggesting a clear programmatic focus. The consistent growth in assets, particularly the jump from $21.34 million in 2022 to $39.13 million in 2023, suggests significant investment in its infrastructure or educational resources, which is positive for long-term sustainability and program delivery.
While the filings consistently show 0% officer compensation, which is excellent for transparency, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not explicitly provided in the summary data. However, given the nature of a charter school, the vast majority of expenses are inherently programmatic. The consistent positive net assets (Assets exceeding Liabilities) across all reported periods, reaching $4.74 million in 2023, further underscores its financial stability and capacity to fulfill its mission.