Is Los Angeles Ballet Inc Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Los Angeles Ballet Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Los Angeles Ballet Inc

Is Los Angeles Ballet Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Los Angeles Ballet Inc (EIN: 201819852) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Los Angeles Ballet Inc a good charity to donate to?

Los Angeles Ballet Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $5.3M. Assets: $1.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Los Angeles Ballet Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Los Angeles Ballet Inc is 201819852. 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 Los Angeles Ballet Inc spend its money?

Los Angeles Ballet Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Los Angeles Ballet Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Los Angeles Ballet Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201819852 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

Los Angeles Ballet Inc. demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization has seen periods of revenue exceeding expenses, such as in 2022 ($4.5M revenue vs. $4.1M expenses) and 2021 ($1.5M revenue vs. $0.8M expenses), it has also experienced significant deficits, notably in 2023 where expenses ($4.8M) outstripped revenue ($4.2M) by over $600,000. The organization's assets have shown growth, reaching over $1 million in 2022, but dipped to $840,463 in 2023, while liabilities remain substantial, at $785,039 in 2023. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to directing funds towards its mission, or that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field, which warrants further investigation for full transparency.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the recurring operational deficits in several years, including 2023, 2018, 2016, and 2015, indicate potential challenges in managing expenses relative to revenue generation. The organization's ability to sustain operations despite these deficits suggests reliance on prior year surpluses or other funding mechanisms not fully detailed here. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive indicator for transparency regarding executive pay, but a complete picture of spending efficiency would require more granular expense data.

Overall, Los Angeles Ballet Inc. appears to be a resilient organization navigating the financial complexities of the arts sector. Its financial health shows variability, with recent years indicating a need for stronger expense management or increased revenue streams to maintain long-term stability. The consistent 0% officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, but a deeper dive into the allocation of its $4.8 million in expenses in 2023 would be beneficial for a comprehensive understanding of its spending efficiency and program focus.

Verdict: Los Angeles Ballet Inc shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths