Is Pennington School Legit?

Quick charity verification for Pennington School (EIN: 210635004)

Verdict: Pennington School appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score
$50.2MRevenue
$95.6MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Pennington 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 Pennington School

Is Pennington School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Pennington School (EIN: 210635004) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Pennington School a good charity to donate to?

Pennington School has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $50.2M. Assets: $95.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Pennington School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Pennington School is 210635004. 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 Pennington School spend its money?

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

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

You can verify Pennington School's tax-exempt status using EIN 210635004 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

The Pennington School demonstrates consistent financial stability and growth over the past decade, with assets increasing from $67.2 million in 2014 to $92.3 million in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a surplus, as evidenced by revenues exceeding expenses in all reported periods, such as $37.9 million in revenue against $36.9 million in expenses in 2023. This indicates sound financial management and an ability to cover operational costs while building reserves. Spending efficiency appears strong, with a significant portion of expenses directed towards program services, typical for an educational institution. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that key leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization's structure does not categorize these roles as 'officers' for compensation reporting on the 990, which warrants further investigation for full transparency. However, the overall financial health, marked by growing assets and consistent surpluses, points to a well-managed entity. Transparency regarding executive compensation is a potential area for improvement, given the consistent 0% reported for officer compensation. While this might be technically accurate based on IRS definitions, it can obscure the full picture of leadership remuneration. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over many years demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure of its financial activities.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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