Quick charity verification for Lighthouse Christian School (EIN: 204112074)
Verdict: Lighthouse Christian School appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$1.0MRevenue
$442KAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in provided data makes precise efficiency analysis challenging
Unusually low liabilities could indicate reliance on external support or specific funding models not fully detailed
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses in recent years (e.g., $53,579 in 202407)
Steady growth in assets over time, from $321,319 in 201507 to $442,453 in 202407
No reported officer compensation, suggesting high efficiency in leadership costs
Low liabilities ($7,626 in 202407) indicating minimal debt burden
Robust filing history with 16 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency and compliance
Spending Breakdown
How Lighthouse Christian 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 Lighthouse Christian School
Is Lighthouse Christian School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lighthouse Christian School (EIN: 204112074) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lighthouse Christian School a good charity to donate to?
Lighthouse Christian School has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $1.0M. Assets: $442K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lighthouse Christian School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lighthouse Christian School is 204112074. 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 Lighthouse Christian School spend its money?
Lighthouse Christian School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lighthouse Christian School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lighthouse Christian School's tax-exempt status using EIN 204112074 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
Lighthouse Christian School demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues generally exceeding expenses in recent years, contributing to a steady growth in assets. For instance, in the 202407 period, revenue was $988,993 against expenses of $935,414, resulting in a surplus. The organization's assets have shown a positive trend, increasing from $321,319 in 201507 to $442,453 in 202407, indicating sound financial management and accumulation of resources. Liabilities have remained relatively low, with the latest period showing only $7,626, suggesting a healthy balance sheet and minimal debt burden.
The school's spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses and asset growth. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health suggests that the majority of funds are likely directed towards its educational mission. The absence of reported officer compensation across all periods is a notable aspect of its financial structure, potentially indicating a volunteer-led or very lean administrative model at the top. This could contribute to a higher proportion of funds being available for direct program activities.
In terms of transparency, the organization has a robust filing history with 16 IRS 990 filings, indicating consistent compliance with reporting requirements. The readily available financial data, even in summary form, allows for a basic assessment of its financial performance. The lack of reported officer compensation also contributes to a perception of fiscal prudence and a focus on mission over executive remuneration.