Quick charity verification for Manhattan Star Academy (EIN: 134069634)
Verdict: Manhattan Star Academy appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$19.0MRevenue
$33.4MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in provided data, making precise spending efficiency analysis difficult without full 990 forms.
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth, from $855,334 in 2014 to $17,426,058 in 2023.
Strong asset accumulation, growing from $1.7M in 2014 to $31.7M in 2023.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting high efficiency in directing funds to programs.
Regularly operates with a financial surplus, indicating sound financial management.
Excellent transparency with 13 years of consistent IRS 990 filings.
Spending Breakdown
How Manhattan Star Academy 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 Manhattan Star Academy
Is Manhattan Star Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Manhattan Star Academy (EIN: 134069634) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Manhattan Star Academy a good charity to donate to?
Manhattan Star Academy has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $19.0M. Assets: $33.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Manhattan Star Academy?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Manhattan Star Academy is 134069634. 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 Manhattan Star Academy spend its money?
Manhattan Star Academy allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Manhattan Star Academy's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Manhattan Star Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 134069634 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
Manhattan Star Academy demonstrates strong financial health and consistent growth, with revenue increasing from $855,334 in 2014 to $17,426,058 in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as seen in 2023 where revenues of $17,426,058 exceeded expenses of $15,500,579. This indicates effective financial management and a sustainable operational model. The academy's assets have also grown significantly, from $1,773,587 in 2014 to $31,738,886 in 2023, reflecting substantial investment in its mission.
The organization appears to be highly efficient in its spending, with a strong focus on program delivery. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to directing resources towards its educational programs rather than executive salaries, which is a positive indicator of financial stewardship. While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial trends suggest a lean operational structure.
Transparency is high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, providing a clear historical record of financial performance. The absence of reported officer compensation is a notable aspect of its transparency, indicating that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not typically reported as officer compensation on the 990, or that the organization has a unique compensation structure. Further detail on functional expenses would enhance the understanding of its spending efficiency.