Is Clapham School Legit?

Quick charity verification for Clapham School (EIN: 203822878)

Verdict: Clapham School appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$2.9MRevenue

$3.2MAssets

2Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Significant increase in liabilities in recent years without clear explanation in summary data, from $250,527 in 202106 to $2,434,967 in 202306.
Expenses slightly exceeded revenue in the 202306 period, leading to a minor operational deficit for that year.

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, indicating strong financial development.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating a high commitment to program spending.
Substantial growth in assets, from $290,642 in 202006 to $3,412,138 in 202306, suggesting investment in organizational capacity.
Extensive filing history (12 filings) provides excellent transparency and historical financial data for analysis.
Generally positive net asset position, indicating financial stability despite recent liability increases.

Spending Breakdown

How Clapham 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

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 Clapham School

Is Clapham School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Clapham School (EIN: 203822878) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Clapham School a good charity to donate to?

Clapham School has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.9M. Assets: $3.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Clapham School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Clapham School is 203822878. 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 Clapham School spend its money?

Clapham School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Clapham School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Clapham School's tax-exempt status using EIN 203822878 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

Clapham School demonstrates a generally stable financial trajectory, with revenues consistently growing over the past decade, reaching $2,271,297 in the 202306 period. While expenses have also increased, the organization has managed to maintain a positive net asset position, with assets growing significantly from $290,642 in 202006 to $3,412,138 in 202306. The school's liabilities have also seen a substantial increase, particularly in the last two periods, reaching $2,434,967 in 202306, which warrants closer examination to understand the nature of these obligations. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries, enhancing its transparency and public trust.

The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally tracking revenue growth. In the 202306 period, expenses ($2,395,472) slightly exceeded revenue ($2,271,297), resulting in a minor deficit for that year. However, this is not a consistent trend, as previous years like 202106 showed a healthy surplus ($2,403,794 revenue vs. $1,777,321 expenses). The significant increase in assets and liabilities suggests potential investments in infrastructure or expansion, which, if managed effectively, could contribute to long-term sustainability and program delivery. The absence of reported officer compensation is a key indicator of efficient resource allocation.

Clapham School's transparency is commendable, particularly regarding executive compensation, which is consistently reported as zero. The availability of 12 years of IRS 990 filings provides a comprehensive historical view of its financial operations, allowing for thorough analysis. While the filings provide a good overview, a deeper dive into the nature of the substantial liabilities in recent years would further enhance understanding of the organization's financial strategy and risk profile. Overall, the school exhibits a strong foundation with clear financial reporting practices.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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