Is Harvard Avenue Community School Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Harvard Avenue Community School (EIN: 204543714)

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission and efficient use of funds.
Revenues and expenses are closely matched, suggesting efficient operational management and a focus on program delivery.
Clear alignment between organization name and NTEE code (B29 - Elementary & Secondary Schools), indicating a focused mission.
Consistent filing history (11 filings) demonstrates good transparency and compliance with IRS regulations.

Spending Breakdown

How Harvard Avenue Community School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Harvard Avenue Community School

Is Harvard Avenue Community School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Harvard Avenue Community School (EIN: 204543714) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Harvard Avenue Community School a good charity to donate to?

Harvard Avenue Community School has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $4.6M. Assets: $169K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Harvard Avenue Community School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Harvard Avenue Community School is 204543714. 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 Harvard Avenue Community School spend its money?

Harvard Avenue Community School allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Harvard Avenue Community School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Harvard Avenue Community School's tax-exempt status using EIN 204543714 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

Harvard Avenue Community School demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses closely matched across most reported periods, indicating a break-even operational model. For example, in 2023, both revenue and expenses were $3,491,375. The organization's assets are relatively low compared to its annual revenue, with the latest reported assets at $168,660 against $4,639,001 in latest revenue. This suggests a lean operational structure with limited reserves. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries.

The organization's financial health appears stable given its consistent revenue streams, though the low asset base could pose challenges during unexpected financial downturns. The NTEE code B29 (Elementary & Secondary Schools) aligns with its name, suggesting a clear program focus. The absence of reported liabilities in earlier years (2013-2015) and then consistent, but small, liabilities matching assets in later years (e.g., $63,352 liabilities vs. $63,452 assets in 2023) suggests a careful management of debt, often indicating pass-through funds or minor operational payables. The consistent zero officer compensation is a strong positive for spending efficiency and transparency.

Overall, Harvard Avenue Community School appears to be a financially stable organization that prioritizes its mission by maintaining a lean operational structure and demonstrating high transparency regarding executive compensation. While the low asset base might be a point of consideration for long-term resilience, its consistent revenue and expense management, coupled with zero officer compensation, paint a picture of a well-managed nonprofit focused on its community.

Is Harvard Avenue Community School Legit?

Verdict: Harvard Avenue Community School appears trustworthy

Red Flags