Is Capistrano Connections Academy Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Capistrano Connections Academy (EIN: 201485148)

Spending Breakdown

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

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Capistrano Connections Academy

Is Capistrano Connections Academy a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Capistrano Connections Academy (EIN: 201485148) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Capistrano Connections Academy a good charity to donate to?

Capistrano Connections Academy has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Capistrano Connections Academy?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Capistrano Connections Academy is 201485148. 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 Capistrano Connections Academy spend its money?

Capistrano Connections Academy allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Capistrano Connections Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 201485148 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

Capistrano Connections Academy demonstrates consistent growth in revenue and expenses over its filing history, with revenue increasing from $9.4 million in 2011 to $29.8 million in 2017. The organization generally operates near break-even, with expenses closely tracking revenue, indicating that most funds are expended in the year they are received. For instance, in 2017, revenue was $29,832,033 and expenses were $29,292,172, resulting in a modest surplus. The organization's assets have also grown steadily, reaching $8,271,416 in 2017, with liabilities consistently lower than assets, suggesting a healthy balance sheet.

However, a significant concern is the lack of recent financial data, as the latest reported revenue and assets are $0, which contradicts its historical operational scale. This could indicate a cessation of operations, a change in reporting, or an error in the provided 'Latest Revenue' and 'Assets' figures. Without current data, a complete assessment of its present financial health is impossible. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests either a fully volunteer board or that executive compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.

Given the historical data, the organization appears to have been financially stable and growing, effectively utilizing its revenue for its stated purpose. The close alignment of expenses to revenue suggests efficient deployment of funds rather than significant accumulation of reserves. The absence of reported officer compensation is a notable point, potentially indicating a lean administrative structure or a need for further detail on how leadership costs are accounted for.

Is Capistrano Connections Academy Legit?

Verdict: Capistrano Connections Academy appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths