Quick charity verification for Chapin School (EIN: 210688891)
Verdict: Chapin School appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$7.7MRevenue
$16.6MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (e.g., $1,831,177 in 2023, $119,041 in 2022, $654,785 in 2021) indicating expenses regularly exceed revenue.
Significant decline in total assets over time, from $27,981,711 in 2015 to $17,983,689 in 2023, suggesting a draw-down of reserves.
Reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in leadership remuneration.
Strengths
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) demonstrates regulatory compliance.
Maintains substantial assets ($17,983,689 in 2023) providing a financial buffer despite deficits.
How Chapin School 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 Chapin School
Is Chapin School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chapin School (EIN: 210688891) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Chapin School a good charity to donate to?
Chapin School has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $7.7M. Assets: $16.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chapin School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chapin School is 210688891. 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 Chapin School spend its money?
Chapin School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chapin School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chapin School's tax-exempt status using EIN 210688891 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
Chapin School, a private school in Princeton, NJ, demonstrates consistent financial operations, though it has experienced a trend of expenses exceeding revenue in recent years. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, expenses were $9,225,541 against revenues of $7,394,364, resulting in a deficit. This pattern is observable across most of the provided filing history, indicating a reliance on existing assets or other funding sources to cover operational costs. While the organization's assets remain substantial at $17,983,689 in 2023, there has been a notable decline from a peak of $27,981,711 in 2015, suggesting a gradual depletion of reserves.
The organization's transparency is commendable regarding executive compensation, as all filings indicate 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that key leadership roles may be compensated through other means or are volunteer-based, or that the compensation is not reported under 'officer compensation' in the standard way. Further investigation would be needed to fully understand the compensation structure. The NTEE code B240 (Elementary & Secondary Schools) aligns with its mission, and the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance.
Despite the consistent operational deficits and declining asset base, the organization maintains significant assets relative to its annual revenue, providing a buffer. However, the long-term sustainability of operating with expenses consistently higher than revenue warrants attention. The lack of reported officer compensation, while seemingly positive, could also be a point for further inquiry to ensure full transparency regarding leadership remuneration.