Quick charity verification for Northern Lights Community School (EIN: 202157775)
Verdict: Northern Lights Community School appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$2.2MRevenue
$1.4MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Historical periods of significant deficit spending (e.g., 2017 and 2018 where expenses exceeded revenue by over $350,000 and $480,000 respectively).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship.
Recent financial stability with revenues consistently exceeding expenses (e.g., $2,029,612 revenue vs. $1,898,156 expenses in 2023).
Consistent filing of IRS 990s, demonstrating transparency.
Reduction in overall liabilities from a peak of $3,158,452 in 2017 to $1,402,316 in 2023.
Spending Breakdown
How Northern Lights Community 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
5%
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 Northern Lights Community School
Is Northern Lights Community School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Northern Lights Community School (EIN: 202157775) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Northern Lights Community School a good charity to donate to?
Northern Lights Community School has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Northern Lights Community School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Northern Lights Community School is 202157775. 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 Northern Lights Community School spend its money?
Northern Lights Community School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Northern Lights Community School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Northern Lights Community School's tax-exempt status using EIN 202157775 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
Northern Lights Community School demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses in recent years, such as in 2023 where revenue was $2,029,612 against expenses of $1,898,156, resulting in a surplus. However, the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, notably in 2018 and 2017 where expenses significantly outpaced revenue. The organization's assets have fluctuated, showing a recent decline from a high of $2,974,397 in 2017 to $1,440,742 in 2023, while liabilities have also decreased from a peak of $3,158,452 in 2017 to $1,402,316 in 2023. This indicates a deleveraging trend, which can be positive if managed effectively.
Spending efficiency appears reasonable, with a consistent pattern of program-focused expenditures. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a strong indicator of financial prudence and transparency. The organization's financial health, while showing some historical volatility, has stabilized in recent periods with positive net income and a reduction in overall liabilities.
Transparency is high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the clear reporting of financial metrics. The lack of officer compensation further enhances its transparency profile, as it removes a common area of scrutiny for nonprofits. The organization's financial data is readily available, allowing for a clear understanding of its operations and resource allocation.