Quick charity verification for University Schools (EIN: 204574040)
Verdict: University Schools appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$1.7MRevenue
$352KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operational deficits in recent years (e.g., $77,277 in 202305 and 202205, $218,547 in 202105).
Significant fluctuation and occasional high levels of liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $256,174 in liabilities against $451,726 in assets in 202005).
Strengths
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (12 filings), indicating good transparency practices.
0% reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting efficient use of funds for leadership or volunteer-driven leadership.
Long operational history with consistent revenue streams over a decade.
Spending Breakdown
How University Schools 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 University Schools
Is University Schools a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, University Schools (EIN: 204574040) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is University Schools a good charity to donate to?
University Schools has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $1.7M. Assets: $352K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for University Schools?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for University Schools is 204574040. 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 University Schools spend its money?
University Schools allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify University Schools's tax-exempt status?
You can verify University Schools's tax-exempt status using EIN 204574040 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
University Schools demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $1.4M to $1.9M over the past several years. The organization has shown a pattern of operating with a slight deficit in some years, such as 202305 and 202205 where expenses exceeded revenue by approximately $77,000, and a more significant deficit in 202105 ($218,547) and 202005 ($182,543). This trend suggests that the organization may be drawing down on its assets or relying on prior year surpluses to cover operational costs. Assets have fluctuated but generally remained below $500,000, while liabilities have varied significantly, peaking at $256,174 in 202005, which is a concern given the asset base.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 12 filings available. A key aspect of its financial health and transparency is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the organization's leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the overall revenue-expense balance.
While the consistent filing history and lack of reported officer compensation are positive indicators for transparency, the recurring operational deficits in recent years warrant closer examination. The organization's ability to sustain its programs long-term will depend on its capacity to balance its budget more consistently or grow its asset base to absorb these deficits. The NTEE code B20 suggests a focus on elementary and secondary education, and understanding how the expenses are allocated between direct program services and administrative/fundraising costs would provide a clearer picture of its spending efficiency.