Quick charity verification for Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School (EIN: 205491659)
Verdict: Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$3.2MRevenue
$3.3MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent high liabilities relative to assets (e.g., 202306: Liabilities $4,032,508, Assets $3,202,780)
Negative net assets in several periods (e.g., 202306: Assets $3,202,780 - Liabilities $4,032,508 = -$829,728)
Strengths
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong resource allocation to mission.
Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating transparency.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $33,886 in 201406 to $3,202,780 in 202306.
Stable revenue generation, generally covering expenses over time (e.g., 202306: Revenue $3,676,977, Expenses $3,502,287).
Spending Breakdown
How Lewis & Clark Montessori 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
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 Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School
Is Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School (EIN: 205491659) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School a good charity to donate to?
Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $3.2M. Assets: $3.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School is 205491659. 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 Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School spend its money?
Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 205491659 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
Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School demonstrates consistent operational activity with revenues generally aligning with expenses over the past decade. While the organization has experienced fluctuations, such as a dip in revenue in 202106 ($3,119,451) compared to expenses ($3,156,537), it has largely maintained a stable financial position. The school's assets have shown significant growth, from $33,886 in 201406 to $3,202,780 in 202306, indicating an accumulation of resources. However, a notable concern is the consistent and substantial liabilities, which have often exceeded assets, for example, $4,032,508 in liabilities against $3,202,780 in assets in 202306. This suggests a reliance on debt or other obligations to finance operations or assets.
The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable given its mission as a charter school, where a significant portion of expenses would naturally be directed towards educational programs and facilities. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for donors. The consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency, providing a clear historical record of financial activity.
Overall, Lewis & Clark Montessori Charter School appears to be a financially stable organization in terms of operational revenue and expense management, with a clear focus on its educational mission. However, the high level of liabilities relative to assets warrants closer examination to understand the nature of these obligations and their long-term implications for financial health.