Quick charity verification for Colorado Springs Charter Academy (EIN: 201227921)
Verdict: Colorado Springs Charter Academy appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$6.2MRevenue
$5.6MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Persistent negative net asset position (e.g., $4.3M assets vs. $6.0M liabilities in 2024)
Significant fluctuation in assets and liabilities over time, particularly a sharp drop in assets from $8.7M in 2020 to $4.3M in 2024 while liabilities remained high.
Strengths
Consistent operational surpluses in recent years (e.g., $4.8M revenue vs. $3.8M expenses in 2024)
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
Strong revenue growth in recent periods, from $3.7M in 2023 to $4.8M in 2024.
Extensive filing history (12 filings) demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Colorado Springs Charter Academy 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 Colorado Springs Charter Academy
Is Colorado Springs Charter Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Colorado Springs Charter Academy (EIN: 201227921) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Colorado Springs Charter Academy a good charity to donate to?
Colorado Springs Charter Academy has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $6.2M. Assets: $5.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Colorado Springs Charter Academy?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Colorado Springs Charter Academy is 201227921. 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 Colorado Springs Charter Academy spend its money?
Colorado Springs Charter Academy allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Colorado Springs Charter Academy's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Colorado Springs Charter Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 201227921 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
Colorado Springs Charter Academy demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with recent revenue growth from $3,790,652 in 2023 to $4,823,858 in 2024. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay. However, a notable concern is the persistent negative net asset position, with liabilities significantly exceeding assets in most recent filings, for example, $6,088,869 in liabilities against $4,357,765 in assets in 2024. This suggests a reliance on debt or other long-term obligations.
The academy's spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally tracking below revenue in recent years, allowing for some surplus generation. For instance, in 2024, expenses were $3,828,994 against $4,823,858 in revenue. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency, providing a clear historical financial record for public scrutiny. While the negative net assets warrant closer examination, the operational surpluses and zero executive compensation are positive indicators.