Is Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School Legit?
Quick charity verification for Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School (EIN: 134119996)
Verdict: Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$13.5MRevenue
$5.6MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Significant increase in liabilities from $964,104 in 2022 to $5,690,805 in 2023, warranting further investigation.
Operating deficit in 2023, with expenses ($13,499,036) exceeding revenue ($12,892,121).
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $7.1 million in 2014 to $12.9 million in 2023.
Healthy accumulation of assets, growing from $1.89 million in 2014 to $7.62 million in 2023.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating a commitment to transparency.
NTEE code B40 indicates a focus on elementary and secondary education, aligning with its mission as a charter school.
Spending Breakdown
How Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School
Is Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School (EIN: 134119996) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School a good charity to donate to?
Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $13.5M. Assets: $5.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School is 134119996. 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 Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School spend its money?
Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 134119996 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
Merrick Academy Queens Public Charter School demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with consistent revenue growth over the past decade, increasing from $7.1 million in 2014 to $12.9 million in 2023. While the organization experienced deficits in several years, notably in 2023 where expenses ($13.5 million) exceeded revenue ($12.9 million), it has also shown periods of surplus, such as in 2021. The significant increase in liabilities in 2023 to $5.69 million, compared to assets of $7.62 million, warrants closer examination to understand the nature of these obligations and their potential impact on future financial flexibility.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be focused on its programmatic mission, as indicated by the 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, suggesting that executive salaries are not a significant drain on resources. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The consistent growth in assets, from $1.89 million in 2014 to $7.62 million in 2023, indicates a healthy accumulation of resources over time.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods is a positive indicator. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable point, suggesting either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is reported differently. Further detail on the allocation of expenses would enhance transparency and allow for a more granular analysis of how funds are utilized to achieve the school's mission.