Is C S Lewis Academy Legit?

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth, from $1,791,919 in 2016 to $3,471,831 in 2023.
Assets consistently growing in recent years, from $6,905,506 in 2019 to $7,611,490 in 2023.
Positive net income in most recent years (e.g., 2023: Revenue $3,471,831 vs. Expenses $3,089,480).
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication to mission.
Improved asset-to-liability ratio in recent years, showing stronger financial stability.

Spending Breakdown

How C S Lewis Academy allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 C S Lewis Academy

Is C S Lewis Academy a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, C S Lewis Academy (EIN: 161779566) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is C S Lewis Academy a good charity to donate to?

C S Lewis Academy has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.1M. Assets: $8.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for C S Lewis Academy?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for C S Lewis Academy is 161779566. 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 C S Lewis Academy spend its money?

C S Lewis Academy allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify C S Lewis Academy's tax-exempt status?

You can verify C S Lewis Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 161779566 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

C S Lewis Academy demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues generally exceeding expenses in recent years, indicating a stable operational model. For example, in 2023, revenue was $3,471,831 against expenses of $3,089,480, resulting in a surplus. The organization's assets have shown growth, increasing from $6,905,506 in 2019 to $7,611,490 in 2023, suggesting a healthy accumulation of resources. However, liabilities remain substantial, often close to or exceeding assets in earlier periods, though the gap has narrowed in recent filings.

The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that a very high proportion of funds are directed towards program services and operational costs rather than executive salaries. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator for efficiency.

Transparency is generally good, with consistent annual filings available. The lack of reported officer compensation is a significant positive for transparency and public trust, as it indicates that the organization is not allocating funds to high executive salaries. However, without a detailed functional expense breakdown, it's challenging to fully assess the precise allocation between program services, administration, and fundraising.

Verdict: C S Lewis Academy appears trustworthy

Red Flags