Arizona Connections Academy Charter School
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School shows consistent revenue growth and no reported officer compensation over a decade.
EIN: 202612155 · Mesa, AZ · NTEE: B29 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Arizona Connections Academy Charter School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School directs 95% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Arizona Connections Academy Charter School
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School (EIN: 202612155) is a nonprofit organization based in Mesa, AZ, classified under NTEE code B29. The organization reported total revenue of $21.0M and total assets of $13.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Arizona Connections Academy Charter School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 17 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 9.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $27.5M |
| Total Expenses | $25.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$2.4M |
| Total Assets | $11.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $4.0M |
| Net Assets | $7.3M |
| Operating Margin | 8.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 35.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 5.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Arizona Connections Academy Charter School reported a surplus of $2.4M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 5.4 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 35.5% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Arizona Connections Academy Charter School's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +0.2% | -1.9% | +2.2% |
| 2022 | +7.3% | +10.9% | +59.8% |
| 2021 | +34.4% | +23.2% | +14.0% |
| 2020 | +2.4% | +2.6% | +50.8% |
| 2019 | +8.9% | +7.1% | +15.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2009 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Arizona Connections Academy Charter School with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 5%
- programs: 95%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Arizona Connections Academy Charter School allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 95%, fundraising: 0%. With 95% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $2.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 35.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available IRS 990 filings, indicating that no compensation is paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size ($27.5 million revenue in 2023) and suggests a unique operational structure or that key personnel are compensated through a related entity not directly reported here.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Arizona Connections Academy Charter School's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation may indicate compensation is paid through a related party, obscuring the full picture of leadership costs.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Arizona Connections Academy Charter School:
- Consistent revenue growth over a decade, from $12.7M in 2014 to $27.5M in 2023.
- Strong asset growth, from $3M in 2014 to $11.2M in 2023, indicating financial stability.
- No reported officer compensation, suggesting a high percentage of funds are directed to programs.
- Expenses closely track revenue, indicating efficient use of funds for its mission.
- Healthy financial position with manageable liabilities relative to assets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona Connections Academy Charter School
Is Arizona Connections Academy Charter School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Arizona Connections Academy Charter School (EIN: 202612155) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Arizona Connections Academy Charter School spend its money?
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School directs 95% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Arizona Connections Academy Charter School tax-deductible?
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202612155). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Arizona Connections Academy Charter School a good charity?
Based on the financial data, the school demonstrates strong financial health, consistent growth, and a high degree of spending efficiency with no reported officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to its educational mission.
How does the school manage to have 0% officer compensation?
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation. This could mean that key leadership roles are filled by volunteers, or compensation is handled through a management agreement with a related for-profit entity (like Connections Education LLC, which often manages Connections Academy schools) and thus not directly reported on the school's 990 as officer compensation.
What is the trend in the school's financial growth?
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School has shown consistent and significant financial growth, with revenue increasing from $12.7 million in 2014 to $27.5 million in 2023, and assets growing from $3 million to over $11 million in the same period.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Arizona Connections Academy Charter School showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Arizona Connections Academy Charter School's revenue has grown by 204%, moving from $9.0M to $27.5M. Total assets increased by 472.1% over the same period, from $2.0M to $11.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 170.9%, from $9.3M to $25.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Arizona Connections Academy Charter School reported a surplus of $2.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $4.0M in liabilities against $11.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 35.5%), resulting in net assets of $7.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $27.5M | $25.1M | $11.3M | $4.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $27.4M | $25.6M | $11.0M | $6.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $25.6M | $23.1M | $6.9M | $3.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $19.0M | $18.8M | $6.1M | $5.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $18.6M | $18.3M | $4.0M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $17.1M | $17.1M | $3.5M | $3.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $15.7M | $15.7M | $4.1M | $4.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $14.3M | $14.3M | $3.2M | $3.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $13.6M | $14.1M | $2.9M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $12.7M | $12.2M | $3.0M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $10.8M | $10.9M | $1.8M | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $10.4M | $10.0M | $1.5M | $1.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $9.0M | $9.3M | $2.0M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $27.5M, expenses of $25.1M, and assets of $11.3M (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $27.4M, expenses of $25.6M, and assets of $11.0M (revenue +7.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $25.6M, expenses of $23.1M, and assets of $6.9M (revenue +34.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $19.0M, expenses of $18.8M, and assets of $6.1M (revenue +2.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $18.6M, expenses of $18.3M, and assets of $4.0M (revenue +8.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $17.1M, expenses of $17.1M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +8.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $15.7M, expenses of $15.7M, and assets of $4.1M (revenue +9.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $14.3M, expenses of $14.3M, and assets of $3.2M (revenue +5.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $13.6M, expenses of $14.1M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +6.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $12.7M, expenses of $12.2M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +17.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $10.8M, expenses of $10.9M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +4.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $10.4M, expenses of $10.0M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +14.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $9.3M, and assets of $2.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Arizona Connections Academy Charter School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Arizona Connections Academy Charter School is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.