Is Carbon Valley Academy Legit?

Quick charity verification for Carbon Valley Academy (EIN: 202488853)

Verdict: Carbon Valley Academy appears trustworthy

70/100Mission Score

$3.4MRevenue

$9.2MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Significant and growing liabilities, exceeding assets in multiple periods (e.g., 202306 liabilities of $12,843,037 vs. assets of $10,527,055).
Expenses exceeding revenue in the most recent filing (202306 expenses of $3,633,921 vs. revenue of $3,557,896), indicating a deficit.
Large fluctuations in assets and liabilities year-over-year, particularly the jump in liabilities from 202206 to 202306, which warrants further scrutiny.

Strengths

Consistent revenue generation, with the latest reported revenue at $3,442,293.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a strong commitment to program spending over executive salaries.
History of significant surpluses in some periods (e.g., 202106 revenue of $2,142,672 vs. expenses of $1,159,562).

Spending Breakdown

How Carbon Valley 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 Carbon Valley Academy

Is Carbon Valley Academy a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carbon Valley Academy (EIN: 202488853) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Carbon Valley Academy a good charity to donate to?

Carbon Valley Academy has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $3.4M. Assets: $9.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Carbon Valley Academy?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carbon Valley Academy is 202488853. 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 Carbon Valley Academy spend its money?

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

How can I verify Carbon Valley Academy's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Carbon Valley Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 202488853 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

Carbon Valley Academy demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has shown consistent revenue generation, with the latest reported revenue at $3,442,293, its financial health is significantly impacted by substantial liabilities. In the 202306 period, liabilities reached $12,843,037, exceeding assets of $10,527,055, indicating a negative net asset position. This trend of liabilities often surpassing assets has been observed in several past filings, suggesting a reliance on debt or other obligations.

Spending efficiency appears to be a concern, particularly in the most recent filing where expenses ($3,633,921) exceeded revenue ($3,557,896), resulting in a deficit. This follows a period of strong surplus in 202106 where revenue ($2,142,672) significantly outpaced expenses ($1,159,562). The organization's NTEE code B29 suggests it is a K-12 school, and the lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a potential for strong program focus, though the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not provided in the summary data. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.

Transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with no reported officer compensation across all available filings. However, the overall financial transparency could be enhanced by providing more detailed breakdowns of expenses to fully assess spending efficiency. The significant and fluctuating liabilities, particularly the jump from $5,532,835 in 202206 to $12,843,037 in 202306, warrant further investigation to understand their nature and impact on the organization's long-term sustainability.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.