Is Western New York Maritime Charter School Legit?

Quick charity verification for Western New York Maritime Charter School (EIN: 200700915)

Verdict: Western New York Maritime Charter School appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$7.9MRevenue

$7.5MAssets

1Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Intermittent operating deficits (e.g., 202306, 202006, 201906 where expenses exceeded revenue).

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong resource allocation.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $1,698,367 in 201406 to $7,838,074 in 202306.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities.

Spending Breakdown

How Western New York Maritime Charter 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

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 Western New York Maritime Charter School

Is Western New York Maritime Charter School a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Western New York Maritime Charter School (EIN: 200700915) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Western New York Maritime Charter School a good charity to donate to?

Western New York Maritime Charter School has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $7.9M. Assets: $7.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Western New York Maritime Charter School?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Western New York Maritime Charter School is 200700915. 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 Western New York Maritime Charter School spend its money?

Western New York Maritime Charter School allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Western New York Maritime Charter School's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Western New York Maritime Charter School's tax-exempt status using EIN 200700915 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

Western New York Maritime Charter School demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across its filing history. For instance, in the 202306 period, assets were $7,838,074 against liabilities of $4,354,652, indicating a healthy balance sheet. However, the organization has experienced periods where expenses outpaced revenue, such as in 202306 where expenses were $7,733,774 compared to revenue of $6,877,422, resulting in a deficit for that year. This trend of occasional operating deficits, also seen in 202006, 201906, 201506, and 201406, suggests a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing resources towards the mission rather than executive salaries. This practice is commendable and suggests a strong focus on resource allocation.

Overall, while the organization maintains a solid asset base and exhibits strong transparency regarding executive compensation, potential donors and stakeholders should monitor its operating margins to ensure consistent financial health. The fluctuations between revenue and expenses warrant attention, though the overall growth in assets from $1,698,367 in 201406 to $7,838,074 in 202306 is a positive long-term trend.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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