Quick charity verification for Gow School (EIN: 161034793)
Verdict: Gow School appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$19.8MRevenue
$52.0MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant deficit in the most recent fiscal period (202406: Expenses $15,533,685 vs. Revenue $10,882,179).
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and could impact transparency.
Decrease in assets from $55,443,299 in 202306 to $51,979,470 in 202406, alongside the deficit.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset growth over the past decade, from $40,079,531 in 201506 to $51,979,470 in 202406.
Generally stable financial operations with revenues often exceeding or closely matching expenses in most periods prior to 202406.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet (e.g., $2,681,190 liabilities vs. $51,979,470 assets in 202406).
Spending Breakdown
How Gow School 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 Gow School
Is Gow School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Gow School (EIN: 161034793) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Gow School a good charity to donate to?
Gow School has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $19.8M. Assets: $52.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Gow School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Gow School is 161034793. 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 Gow School spend its money?
Gow School allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Gow School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Gow School's tax-exempt status using EIN 161034793 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
The Gow School demonstrates a consistent operational history with stable asset growth over the past decade, reaching $51,979,470 in assets as of the 202406 period. While the organization reported a deficit in the most recent period (expenses of $15,533,685 against revenue of $10,882,179), this appears to be an anomaly compared to prior years where revenues generally exceeded or closely matched expenses. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings suggests either a highly volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation is reported under different categories, which could impact transparency regarding executive pay practices. Further investigation into the detailed expense breakdown would be necessary to fully assess spending efficiency, particularly the allocation between program services, administrative costs, and fundraising efforts.
The organization's financial health appears generally sound, supported by substantial assets. However, the significant deficit in the 202406 period warrants closer examination to understand its cause and whether it represents a one-time event or a potential trend. The consistent growth in assets from $40,079,531 in 201506 to $51,979,470 in 202406 indicates effective asset management and financial stability over the long term. The lack of reported officer compensation on the 990s is a notable point for transparency, as it deviates from typical reporting for organizations of this size and could obscure a complete picture of leadership costs.