Birch Wathen Lenox School
Birch Wathen Lenox School faces recurring operational deficits despite substantial assets.
EIN: 133603578 · New York, NY · NTEE: B20Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $21.7M |
| Total Expenses | $24.6M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $20 |
| Net Assets | $2.2M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Birch Wathen Lenox School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Birch Wathen Lenox School directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Birch Wathen Lenox School
Birch Wathen Lenox School (EIN: 133603578) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code B20Z. The organization reported total revenue of $21.7M and total assets of $15.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Birch Wathen Lenox School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Birch Wathen Lenox School is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 34 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $22.7M |
| Total Expenses | $24.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,885,703 |
| Total Assets | $17.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $14.9M |
| Net Assets | $2.2M |
| Operating Margin | -8.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 87.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 8.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Birch Wathen Lenox School reported a deficit of $1.9M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 8.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 87.1% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Birch Wathen Lenox School's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -15.1% | -20.2% | +28.1% |
| 2022 | -4.6% | -2.6% | -32.4% |
| 2021 | -1.0% | +4.5% | -13.4% |
| 2020 | -6.9% | -3.9% | -3.4% |
| 2019 | -1.5% | +1.4% | -25.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1992 |
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 Birch Wathen Lenox School with a Mission Score of 65 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Birch Wathen Lenox School allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% 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 deficit of $1.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 87.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size with annual revenues exceeding $20 million. This suggests that either the leadership is entirely volunteer-based, or compensation is categorized differently and not explicitly disclosed as 'officer compensation' on the summary page, potentially obscuring a full view of executive pay.
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 Birch Wathen Lenox School's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., $1.88M deficit in 2023, $4.05M in 2022).
- Increasing liabilities trend, reaching $14,943,797 in 2023.
- Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size, potentially lacking transparency on executive pay.
- Declining revenue trend over the past several years, from over $30M in 2019 to $22.7M in 2023.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Birch Wathen Lenox School:
- Substantial asset base ($17,149,633 in 2023) provides a buffer against operational deficits.
- Long filing history (12 filings) indicates consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
- Focus on education (NTEE Code B20Z) aligns with a clear mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about Birch Wathen Lenox School
Is Birch Wathen Lenox School a legitimate charity?
Birch Wathen Lenox School (EIN: 133603578) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $21.7M. 4 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Birch Wathen Lenox School spend its money?
Birch Wathen Lenox School directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Birch Wathen Lenox School tax-deductible?
Birch Wathen Lenox School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133603578). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Birch Wathen Lenox School CEO make?
Birch Wathen Lenox School's highest-compensated officer earns $20 annually. The organization reported $21.7M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Birch Wathen Lenox School's spending goes to programs?
Birch Wathen Lenox School directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Birch Wathen Lenox School compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Birch Wathen Lenox School is above average for NTEE category B20Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Birch Wathen Lenox School located?
Birch Wathen Lenox School is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 133603578. It is classified under NTEE code B20Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Birch Wathen Lenox School have?
Birch Wathen Lenox School has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $21.7M in total revenue.
Why does Birch Wathen Lenox School consistently report 0% officer compensation?
The IRS 990 filings for all periods show 0% officer compensation. This could mean that the school's leadership is entirely volunteer, or that compensation for key executives is reported under other expense categories, such as salaries and wages for employees, rather than specifically as 'officer compensation' on the summary page of the 990.
What is the reason for the recurring operational deficits?
For several recent periods, including 2023, 2022, and 2021, the school's expenses have exceeded its revenues. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $24,587,678 while revenue was $22,701,975. This indicates that the organization is spending more than it earns annually, which could be due to declining enrollment, increased operational costs, or strategic investments not immediately covered by revenue.
How does the organization plan to address its increasing liabilities?
The organization's liabilities have shown an upward trend, reaching $14,943,797 in 2023 from $9,335,701 in 2022. While the provided data does not detail the nature of these liabilities or the plan to address them, this increase warrants scrutiny as it could impact the organization's long-term financial stability.
Is the decline in revenue and expenses over recent years a strategic decision?
Both revenue and expenses have generally decreased since 2019. For example, revenue dropped from $30,398,727 in 2019 to $22,701,975 in 2023. This trend could indicate a strategic decision to scale down operations, a response to external factors like declining enrollment, or a shift in funding models.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Birch Wathen Lenox School showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Birch Wathen Lenox School's revenue has declined by 5.9%, moving from $24.1M to $22.7M. Total assets decreased by 51.1% over the same period, from $35.1M to $17.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 2.9%, from $23.9M to $24.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Birch Wathen Lenox School reported a deficit of $1.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $14.9M in liabilities against $17.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 87.1%), resulting in net assets of $2.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $22.7M | $24.6M | $17.1M | $14.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $26.7M | $30.8M | $13.4M | $9.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $28.0M | $31.6M | $19.8M | $11.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $28.3M | $30.2M | $22.9M | $11.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $30.4M | $31.5M | $23.7M | $10.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $30.8M | $31.1M | $31.9M | $17.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $30.5M | $30.6M | $32.3M | $17.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $29.7M | $29.4M | $32.0M | $16.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $29.2M | $28.0M | $32.1M | $17.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $26.8M | $27.9M | $30.7M | $17.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $26.0M | $24.9M | $37.7M | $23.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $24.1M | $23.9M | $35.1M | $21.6M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $22.7M, expenses of $24.6M, and assets of $17.1M (revenue -15.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $26.7M, expenses of $30.8M, and assets of $13.4M (revenue -4.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $28.0M, expenses of $31.6M, and assets of $19.8M (revenue -1.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $28.3M, expenses of $30.2M, and assets of $22.9M (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $30.4M, expenses of $31.5M, and assets of $23.7M (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $30.8M, expenses of $31.1M, and assets of $31.9M (revenue +1.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $30.5M, expenses of $30.6M, and assets of $32.3M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $29.7M, expenses of $29.4M, and assets of $32.0M (revenue +1.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $29.2M, expenses of $28.0M, and assets of $32.1M (revenue +8.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $26.8M, expenses of $27.9M, and assets of $30.7M (revenue +3.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $26.0M, expenses of $24.9M, and assets of $37.7M (revenue +7.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $24.1M, expenses of $23.9M, and assets of $35.1M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Birch Wathen Lenox School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Birch Wathen Lenox 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.