Is King Center Charter School Legit?

Quick charity verification for King Center Charter School (EIN: 161587793)

Verdict: King Center Charter School appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$6.5MRevenue

$7.2MAssets

3Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent deficit spending in the most recent two fiscal periods (202406 and 202306), where expenses exceeded revenue.
Decline in total assets from a peak of $8,970,236 in 202206 to $7,687,215 in 202406, coinciding with deficit spending.
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which might indicate compensation is reported in other categories or through related entities, requiring further investigation.

Strengths

Strong long-term asset growth, increasing from $3,056,867 in 201506 to $7,687,215 in 202406.
Consistent and extensive IRS 990 filing history (14 filings), demonstrating high transparency.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a high dedication of funds to programmatic activities.
Operating as a charter school (NTEE B99), implying a direct and measurable impact on education.

Spending Breakdown

How King Center Charter 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 King Center Charter School

Is King Center Charter School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, King Center Charter School (EIN: 161587793) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is King Center Charter School a good charity to donate to?

King Center Charter School has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.5M. Assets: $7.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for King Center Charter School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for King Center Charter School is 161587793. 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 King Center Charter School spend its money?

King Center Charter School allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify King Center Charter School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify King Center Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 161587793 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

King Center Charter School demonstrates a consistent operational history with revenues generally exceeding expenses in earlier periods, though recent filings show a trend of expenses surpassing revenue. For instance, in fiscal year 202406, expenses were $6,899,996 against revenues of $6,034,747, and similarly in 202306, expenses were $6,948,153 compared to revenues of $6,503,461. This indicates a potential reliance on accumulated assets or other funding sources to cover operational costs in the short term. The organization's assets have shown growth over the long term, from $3,056,867 in 201506 to $7,687,215 in 202406, suggesting a build-up of financial capacity. However, the recent decline in assets from a peak of $8,970,236 in 202206 to $7,687,215 in 202406, coupled with the deficit spending, warrants closer observation.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed functional expense breakdown, it's challenging to precisely determine the allocation between program, administrative, and fundraising costs. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries. This is a positive indicator for efficiency and donor trust. The organization's NTEE code B99 (Elementary & Secondary Education, Not Elsewhere Classified) aligns with its mission as a charter school, implying that the majority of its expenses are likely program-related.

Transparency appears to be high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods, providing a comprehensive financial history. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant transparency point, indicating that the organization's leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990. Further analysis would require access to the full 990 forms to understand the detailed functional expense breakdown and any related party transactions.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.