Quick charity verification for The Chicago Mosaic School (EIN: 203070470)
Verdict: The Chicago Mosaic School appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$628KRevenue
$2.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent small operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2021) could lead to long-term financial strain if not addressed.
High liabilities relative to assets ($2,593,363 liabilities vs. $2,786,346 assets in 2023) indicate significant debt, which requires careful management.
Strengths
Strong program focus, as implied by typical nonprofit spending benchmarks and the nature of the organization.
Excellent transparency with 13 years of consistent IRS 990 filings.
Highly efficient executive compensation with 0% reported officer compensation across all filings.
Significant asset growth, indicating successful capital development or investment in its mission infrastructure.
Spending Breakdown
How The Chicago Mosaic School allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 The Chicago Mosaic School
Is The Chicago Mosaic School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Chicago Mosaic School (EIN: 203070470) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Chicago Mosaic School a good charity to donate to?
The Chicago Mosaic School has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $628K. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Chicago Mosaic School?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Chicago Mosaic School is 203070470. 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 The Chicago Mosaic School spend its money?
The Chicago Mosaic School allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Chicago Mosaic School's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Chicago Mosaic School's tax-exempt status using EIN 203070470 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 Chicago Mosaic School demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in close proximity over the past decade. For the latest reported period (202312), the organization had revenues of $588,840 against expenses of $600,062, indicating a slight operational deficit. A notable change occurred between 2021 and 2022, where assets dramatically increased from $428,728 to $2,931,218, accompanied by a significant rise in liabilities, suggesting a major capital acquisition or investment, likely related to real estate or a substantial project. This shift warrants further investigation to understand the nature of these assets and liabilities.
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership or that compensation is reported under other categories, but on the surface, it suggests a commitment to directing funds towards its mission. While the overall financial health appears stable, the substantial increase in liabilities in recent years, reaching $2,593,363 in 2023, requires scrutiny to ensure long-term sustainability and responsible debt management. The consistent reporting of 990 forms over 13 periods indicates good transparency in financial disclosure.