Is Knox School Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operating deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in every reported period, indicating a structural financial imbalance.
Rapidly increasing liabilities: Liabilities have grown from $6,034,889 in 201406 to $17,808,667 in 202306, far outpacing asset growth.
High liabilities-to-assets ratio: Liabilities are over three times assets in 202306 ($17,808,667 vs. $5,788,033), posing a significant solvency risk.
Negative net assets: The consistent deficits and increasing liabilities suggest that net assets may be negative or rapidly declining.
Unusual 0% officer compensation: While potentially positive, it's highly uncommon for an organization of this size and warrants further inquiry into leadership compensation structures.

Strengths

Consistent revenue generation: The organization consistently generates several million dollars in revenue annually, indicating a stable base of support.
Long operating history: With 13 filings over a decade, the organization has demonstrated longevity.
No reported officer compensation: The 0% officer compensation suggests a commitment to minimizing direct executive overhead, though further clarity is needed.

Spending Breakdown

How Knox School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Knox School

Is Knox School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Knox School (EIN: 111743680) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 5 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Knox School a good charity to donate to?

Knox School has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $6.8M. Assets: $5.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Knox School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Knox School is 111743680. 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 Knox School spend its money?

Knox School allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Knox School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Knox School's tax-exempt status using EIN 111743680 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

Knox School has consistently operated with expenses exceeding revenue over the past decade, indicating a structural deficit. For instance, in the 202306 period, expenses were $8,882,118 against revenues of $6,306,707, resulting in a significant deficit. This trend has led to a substantial increase in liabilities, which grew from $6,034,889 in 201406 to $17,808,667 in 202306, far outpacing asset growth. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation, which suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in that specific area, the overall financial health is concerning due to persistent deficits and escalating debt.

The organization's financial stability is further challenged by its high liabilities relative to assets. In 202306, liabilities were over three times its assets ($17,808,667 vs. $5,788,033), which is a significant risk factor. The consistent negative net income over multiple years suggests that the organization may be relying on drawing down reserves or increasing debt to cover operational costs. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line deficit, but the overall financial trajectory points to a need for significant operational adjustments to achieve sustainability.

Verdict: Knox School shows mixed signals