Is Kipp Academy Charter School Legit?

Quick charity verification for Kipp Academy Charter School (EIN: 113550982)

Verdict: Kipp Academy Charter School appears trustworthy

88/100Mission Score

$26.0MRevenue

$6.9MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant fluctuations in liabilities, reaching over $11 million in 2019, warrant further investigation into debt management.
Substantial operating deficit in 2019 ($6.8 million) indicates a period of financial strain or significant one-time investment.

Strengths

Consistent revenue generation, typically exceeding $20 million annually, demonstrating financial stability.
Exceptional transparency and efficiency regarding executive compensation, with 0% reported for officers across all filings.
Generally stable financial operations, with expenses closely managed relative to revenue in most years.
Strong program focus implied by the nature of a charter school and the absence of officer compensation.

Spending Breakdown

How Kipp Academy Charter School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Kipp Academy Charter School

Is Kipp Academy Charter School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Kipp Academy Charter School (EIN: 113550982) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Kipp Academy Charter School a good charity to donate to?

Kipp Academy Charter School has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $26.0M. Assets: $6.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Kipp Academy Charter School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Kipp Academy Charter School is 113550982. 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 Kipp Academy Charter School spend its money?

Kipp Academy Charter School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Kipp Academy Charter School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Kipp Academy Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 113550982 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

Kipp Academy Charter School demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams, primarily from its operations as a charter school. Over the past several years, the organization has managed its expenses closely, often operating with a slight surplus or deficit. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $24,988,156 against expenses of $24,426,874, indicating a modest surplus. However, there have been periods of significant deficits, such as in 2019 where expenses ($30,765,912) substantially exceeded revenue ($23,947,283). The organization's assets have fluctuated, with a notable decrease from $7,496,841 in 2019 to $2,879,322 in 2023, while liabilities have also seen significant changes, peaking at $11,515,727 in 2019 and decreasing to $5,703,271 in 2023. This suggests a dynamic financial environment, likely influenced by capital expenditures or debt management related to its facilities and operations.

The organization's transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with 0% reported for officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the highest-ranking individuals are not receiving direct compensation from the organization, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and aligns with a mission-first approach. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising spending breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the consistent operational nature of a charter school typically implies a high proportion of spending directly on educational programs. The fluctuations in assets and liabilities warrant closer examination of the full 990 forms to understand the underlying causes, particularly the significant liability levels in certain years.

Overall, Kipp Academy Charter School appears to be a financially sound organization, effectively managing its resources to deliver its educational mission. The lack of officer compensation is a significant strength in terms of transparency and efficiency. The primary area for deeper analysis would be the detailed breakdown of expenses to confirm the allocation to programs and to understand the drivers behind the shifts in assets and liabilities.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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