Is Marshalltown Christian School Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Marshalltown Christian School (EIN: 203857553)

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, reaching over $2 million in 202406.
Significant revenue increase in recent years, from $397,836 in 202206 to $750,914 in 202406.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filing periods, indicating strong dedication to mission.
Positive net income in most recent years, with revenue exceeding expenses ($750,914 vs $588,844 in 202406).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Marshalltown 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

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 Marshalltown Christian School

Is Marshalltown Christian School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Marshalltown Christian School (EIN: 203857553) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Marshalltown Christian School a good charity to donate to?

Marshalltown Christian School has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $755K. Assets: $2.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Marshalltown Christian School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Marshalltown Christian School is 203857553. 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 Marshalltown Christian School spend its money?

Marshalltown Christian School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Marshalltown Christian School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Marshalltown Christian School's tax-exempt status using EIN 203857553 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

Marshalltown Christian School demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with consistent asset growth over the past decade, reaching $2,030,380 in the latest filing period (202406). The organization has shown significant revenue growth, nearly doubling from $397,836 in 202206 to $750,914 in 202406, indicating increased support or program expansion. Expenses have also risen but at a slower pace than revenue, leading to a positive net income in most recent years. For instance, in 202406, revenue was $750,914 against expenses of $588,844, suggesting efficient management of resources relative to its operations.

The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly regarding executive compensation, which has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings. This indicates that the school's leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a strong positive for donor confidence. The NTEE code B21 (Elementary & Secondary Education) aligns well with its name and presumed mission. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further reinforces its commitment to regulatory compliance and public transparency.

While the overall financial health appears robust, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not explicitly provided in the summary data, making a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging without deeper analysis of the full 990 forms. However, the consistent positive net income and asset growth suggest that the organization is effectively managing its finances to support its mission.

Is Marshalltown Christian School Legit?

Verdict: Marshalltown Christian School appears trustworthy