Is Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School Legit?
Quick charity verification for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (EIN: 203428111)
Verdict: Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$12.5MRevenue
$21.5MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent 2023 filing period ($12,407,607 vs $11,713,496).
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of this size and may obscure actual executive remuneration.
High and growing liabilities ($22,937,367 in 2023) relative to assets, indicating significant debt.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $8.1M in 2014 to $11.7M in 2023.
Significant asset growth, from $1.8M in 2014 to $24.2M in 2023, indicating investment in its mission.
Generally operates with a surplus, with revenue exceeding expenses in most filing periods.
Strong program focus implied by the absence of reported officer compensation, suggesting funds are directed towards educational activities.
Spending Breakdown
How Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Park Performing Arts Charter School
Is Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (EIN: 203428111) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School a good charity to donate to?
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $12.5M. Assets: $21.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is 203428111. 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 Park Performing Arts Charter School spend its money?
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 203428111 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 Park Performing Arts Charter School demonstrates consistent financial growth over the past decade, with revenue increasing from $8.1 million in 2014 to $11.7 million in 2023. The organization generally operates with a surplus, as seen in most years where revenue exceeds expenses, though the 2023 period showed expenses of $12,407,607 slightly exceeding revenue of $11,713,496. This indicates a minor deficit in the most recent filing, which warrants monitoring. The school's assets have also grown significantly, from $1.8 million in 2014 to $24.2 million in 2023, reflecting substantial investment in its infrastructure or programs. Liabilities have also increased, reaching $22.9 million in 2023, suggesting reliance on debt financing for its growth.
Spending efficiency appears to be strong, as the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating that its leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990. This suggests a high proportion of funds are directed towards its educational mission. The consistent growth in assets alongside revenue indicates a financially stable, albeit debt-reliant, organization.
Transparency is generally good, with consistent annual filings. The absence of reported officer compensation on the 990s is a notable point for transparency, as it could imply that key leadership roles are filled by volunteers or that compensation is structured in a way that doesn't appear in this specific line item, which might require further investigation for a complete picture of executive remuneration.