Is Crossroads Academy Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $606,712 in 2023 and $293,076 in 2022), indicating expenses exceeding revenue.
Significant revenue volatility, with a sharp drop from $6.9 million in 2021 to $2.9 million in 2023, which could signal unstable funding sources.
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if it's reported elsewhere.

Spending Breakdown

How Crossroads Academy allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Crossroads Academy

Is Crossroads Academy a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Crossroads Academy (EIN: 20451454) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Crossroads Academy a good charity to donate to?

Crossroads Academy has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $4.5M. Assets: $11.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Crossroads Academy?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Crossroads Academy is 20451454. 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 Crossroads Academy spend its money?

Crossroads Academy allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Crossroads Academy's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Crossroads Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 20451454 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

Crossroads Academy demonstrates a fluctuating financial picture over the past decade. While the organization has generally maintained a healthy asset base, with assets growing from $8.6 million in 2014 to $12.8 million in 2023, its revenue and expense trends show inconsistency. For instance, revenue spiked to $6.9 million in 2021 but then dropped significantly to $2.9 million in 2023, while expenses have steadily increased, leading to operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $2.9M revenue vs. $3.5M expenses in 2023). This suggests a need for closer examination of revenue diversification and expense management to ensure long-term sustainability.

The organization's transparency regarding executive compensation is notable, with 0% reported officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other categories, which would require further clarification for complete transparency. The consistent reporting of liabilities, which have remained a relatively small portion of total assets, suggests responsible financial management in that area. However, the recurring operating deficits in recent years, such as the $606,712 deficit in 2023, warrant attention to prevent erosion of its asset base.

Overall, Crossroads Academy appears to be a well-established organization with a substantial asset base. However, the recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, particularly in 2022 and 2023, is a concern for its financial health. While the lack of reported officer compensation is a positive sign for resource allocation, a deeper dive into the functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) would provide a more complete picture of spending efficiency. The significant revenue volatility also points to potential reliance on unpredictable funding sources.

Verdict: Crossroads Academy appears trustworthy