Quick charity verification for College Bound Opportunities (EIN: 204811544)
Verdict: College Bound Opportunities appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$1.4MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (e.g., $129,171 in 2023, $223,173 in 2022)
Liabilities consistently exceed assets, resulting in negative net assets (e.g., $2,161,114 liabilities vs. $1,639,612 assets in 2023)
Declining asset base in recent years (from $1,958,293 in 2021 to $1,639,612 in 2023)
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high transparency and dedication of funds to mission
Stable revenue generation, consistently over $1 million in recent years
Long operational history with 13 filings, suggesting established presence
Spending Breakdown
How College Bound Opportunities 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 College Bound Opportunities
Is College Bound Opportunities a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, College Bound Opportunities (EIN: 204811544) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is College Bound Opportunities a good charity to donate to?
College Bound Opportunities has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for College Bound Opportunities?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for College Bound Opportunities is 204811544. 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 College Bound Opportunities spend its money?
College Bound Opportunities allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify College Bound Opportunities's tax-exempt status?
You can verify College Bound Opportunities's tax-exempt status using EIN 204811544 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
College Bound Opportunities demonstrates consistent operational activity with annual revenues generally exceeding $1 million. However, the organization has reported expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years, including a deficit of $129,171 in 2023 and $223,173 in 2022. This trend of spending more than it earns could impact long-term financial stability if not addressed. Despite these operational deficits, the organization maintains a healthy asset base, with assets of $1,639,612 in 2023, though this is offset by significant liabilities, which stood at $2,161,114 in the same period, indicating a negative net asset position.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be focused on its mission, as indicated by the NTEE code B82 (Scholarships & Student Financial Aid). The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. This practice is commendable and suggests a volunteer-driven or very lean administrative structure at the top.
While the consistent operational deficits and negative net assets are areas for concern, the organization's commitment to transparency regarding executive compensation is a significant strength. Donors should review the detailed financial statements to understand the nature of the liabilities and the long-term strategy for achieving financial equilibrium. The organization's ability to maintain its asset base despite recurring deficits warrants further investigation into its funding sources and expenditure categories.