Quick charity verification for Carolina School For Inquiry (EIN: 203214898)
Verdict: Carolina School For Inquiry appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.1MRevenue
$2.9MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent liabilities exceeding assets (e.g., $3,757,118 liabilities vs. $3,109,301 assets in 202306).
Lack of reported officer compensation, which could obscure executive remuneration details.
Significant increase in liabilities from 201406 ($47,073) to 202306 ($3,757,118) without a proportional increase in assets.
Strengths
Consistent revenue generation, averaging over $1.9 million annually.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue, indicating sound operational management and surpluses (e.g., $1,912,124 revenue vs. $1,881,692 expenses in 202306).
Stable asset growth over the long term, from $849,431 in 201406 to $2,904,011 currently (though offset by liabilities).
Spending Breakdown
How Carolina School For Inquiry allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Carolina School For Inquiry
Is Carolina School For Inquiry a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carolina School For Inquiry (EIN: 203214898) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Carolina School For Inquiry a good charity to donate to?
Carolina School For Inquiry has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.1M. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Carolina School For Inquiry?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carolina School For Inquiry is 203214898. 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 Carolina School For Inquiry spend its money?
Carolina School For Inquiry allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Carolina School For Inquiry's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Carolina School For Inquiry's tax-exempt status using EIN 203214898 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
Carolina School For Inquiry demonstrates consistent revenue generation, averaging around $1.9 million to $2.1 million annually over the past decade. The organization consistently spends less than its revenue, indicating sound financial management and the ability to build reserves or manage liabilities. For instance, in the 202306 period, revenue was $1,912,124 against expenses of $1,881,692, resulting in a surplus. However, a notable concern is the organization's liabilities, which have consistently exceeded its assets in recent years, peaking at $4,447,025 in liabilities against $3,438,374 in assets in 202106. This suggests a reliance on debt or other obligations that warrant closer examination.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, with a significant portion of its expenses likely directed towards its educational programs, given its mission as a school. The consistent surplus generation, even if modest, indicates a sustainable operational model. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings suggests either a volunteer-led executive structure or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.
Overall, while the consistent revenue and expense management are positive, the persistent asset-to-liability imbalance is a key area for potential donors or stakeholders to investigate further. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially a positive for efficiency, also means less direct transparency on executive remuneration.