Quick charity verification for School Of American Ballet Inc (EIN: 131275970)
Verdict: School Of American Ballet Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$149.9MRevenue
$104.3MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., 2023: $13.0M revenue vs. $18.3M expenses), which could deplete reserves if not offset by other income sources.
Unusually low revenue in 2023 ($13.0M) compared to the latest reported total revenue of $149.8M, suggesting a potential discrepancy or a different reporting period for the 'latest revenue' figure.
Strengths
Strong asset base, consistently over $90 million, providing financial resilience.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
Regular and transparent IRS 990 filings over a long period (13 filings).
Relatively stable liabilities compared to assets, indicating good debt management.
Spending Breakdown
How School Of American Ballet Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 School Of American Ballet Inc
Is School Of American Ballet Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, School Of American Ballet Inc (EIN: 131275970) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is School Of American Ballet Inc a good charity to donate to?
School Of American Ballet Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $149.9M. Assets: $104.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for School Of American Ballet Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for School Of American Ballet Inc is 131275970. 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 School Of American Ballet Inc spend its money?
School Of American Ballet Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify School Of American Ballet Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify School Of American Ballet Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 131275970 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 School Of American Ballet Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial position with assets consistently around $90-110 million over the past decade. While the organization has experienced fluctuations in annual revenue, ranging from $12.9 million to $26.5 million, it has often operated with expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, as seen in 2023 ($13.0M revenue vs. $18.3M expenses) and 2022 ($15.3M revenue vs. $17.1M expenses). This trend of deficit spending, if sustained, could draw down reserves, although current asset levels appear robust. The organization's transparency is commendable given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, and the reported 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing executive pay, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.
Spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, is difficult to fully assess. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that a significant portion of expenses is likely directed towards operational costs and program delivery rather than high executive salaries. The organization's ability to maintain substantial assets despite periods of deficit spending indicates a strong endowment or other investment income, which contributes to its long-term sustainability. Further analysis would require a more granular look at expense categories to determine the exact allocation to programs versus overhead.