Quick charity verification for Lincoln Academy (EIN: 10219126)
Verdict: Lincoln Academy appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$13.2MRevenue
$24.2MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operational deficits (e.g., $1.47M deficit in 2023, $1.68M in 2022) indicate expenses consistently exceeding revenue.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size is highly unusual and warrants further scrutiny regarding executive compensation practices.
Fluctuating revenue streams, with a significant drop from $16.58M in 2021 to $10.81M in 2023, suggest potential instability in funding sources.
Strengths
Long and consistent filing history (13 filings) demonstrates commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
Substantial asset base ($25.78M in 2023) provides financial stability and a buffer against operational deficits.
Strong NTEE code (B250 - Secondary & High Schools) indicates a clear program focus on education.
Spending Breakdown
How Lincoln Academy allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Lincoln Academy
Is Lincoln Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lincoln Academy (EIN: 10219126) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Lincoln Academy a good charity to donate to?
Lincoln Academy has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $13.2M. Assets: $24.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lincoln Academy?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lincoln Academy is 10219126. 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 Lincoln Academy spend its money?
Lincoln Academy allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lincoln Academy's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lincoln Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 10219126 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
Lincoln Academy demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though recent years show expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, the organization reported revenues of $10,810,192 against expenses of $12,284,906, indicating a deficit. This trend is also visible in 2022 and 2019, suggesting a need for closer monitoring of operational costs or revenue diversification. However, the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $25,783,868 in 2023, which provides a buffer against short-term deficits.
The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly with its consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that no compensation is reported for key officers, which is unusual for an organization of this size and could imply that executive compensation is either very low, covered by other entities, or not reported in a standard way. Further investigation into the nature of executive roles and compensation structures would be beneficial to fully assess this aspect. The consistent filing history over 13 periods also points to a commitment to regulatory compliance.
While the financial health shows some fluctuations, the overall asset base and consistent operations suggest a resilient organization. The primary area for improvement would be to address the recurring operational deficits to ensure long-term sustainability without relying heavily on asset drawdowns. The lack of reported officer compensation, while seemingly positive, warrants further clarification for complete transparency.