Quick charity verification for Spence School (EIN: 131635286)
Verdict: Spence School appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$65.3MRevenue
$397.0MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size, which warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $10.2 million in 2023 and $1.0 million in 2022) indicate that expenses are exceeding revenues, which is not sustainable long-term without drawing from reserves.
Strengths
Substantial and growing asset base, reaching $396,968,006, providing financial stability and long-term capacity.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Strong historical revenue generation, with several years showing significant surpluses (e.g., $14.1 million in 2021).
Spending Breakdown
How Spence 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 Spence School
Is Spence School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Spence School (EIN: 131635286) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Spence School a good charity to donate to?
Spence School has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $65.3M. Assets: $397.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Spence School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Spence School is 131635286. 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 Spence School spend its money?
Spence School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Spence School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Spence School's tax-exempt status using EIN 131635286 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 Spence School demonstrates a generally stable financial position with substantial assets, currently at $396,968,006. While revenue has fluctuated, the organization has consistently maintained a strong asset base. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, the school reported revenues of $58,057,667 against expenses of $68,272,073, indicating a deficit for that period. However, this is not a consistent trend, as seen in 2021 where revenues of $72,977,566 significantly exceeded expenses of $58,803,465.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, indicating a commitment to public disclosure. The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings suggests that the highest-ranking officers are not receiving compensation directly from the organization, which is a notable aspect of its financial structure. This practice, if accurate and sustained, contributes positively to perceptions of financial stewardship and resource allocation directly to its educational mission.