Quick charity verification for Center For School Success (EIN: 200194509)
Verdict: Center For School Success appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$163KRevenue
$69KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
History of operating deficits where expenses exceeded revenue in multiple periods (e.g., 201806, 201706, 201406, 201206).
Historically high liabilities relative to assets in earlier periods (e.g., $145,155 liabilities vs. $94,659 assets in 201506).
Strengths
Significant financial turnaround and surplus in the latest filing (201906), with revenue of $163,079 against expenses of $75,124.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
Substantial reduction in liabilities from previous periods to $5,361 in 201906.
Growth in assets from $38,676 in 201806 to $68,798 in 201906.
Spending Breakdown
How Center For School Success allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Center For School Success
Is Center For School Success a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Center For School Success (EIN: 200194509) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Center For School Success a good charity to donate to?
Center For School Success has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $163K. Assets: $69K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Center For School Success?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Center For School Success is 200194509. 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 Center For School Success spend its money?
Center For School Success allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Center For School Success's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Center For School Success's tax-exempt status using EIN 200194509 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
The Center For School Success demonstrates a fluctuating financial history, with recent improvements in its financial health. In the latest filing (201906), the organization reported revenue of $163,079 against expenses of $75,124, resulting in a significant surplus and an increase in assets to $68,798. This marks a positive turnaround from previous years where expenses frequently exceeded revenue, leading to accumulated liabilities. For instance, in 201806, expenses ($93,217) slightly surpassed revenue ($92,581), and in 201706, expenses ($88,421) were considerably higher than revenue ($79,073). The organization has consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. While the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't detailed in the provided summary, the overall financial trend in the most recent period suggests improved spending efficiency and a move towards greater financial stability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation also points to a degree of transparency regarding executive pay.