Bright Water Montessori School
Bright Water Montessori School maintains consistent operations with stable assets, no reported officer compensation, and occasional operating deficits.
EIN: 200366261 · Minneapolis, MN · NTEE: B20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $676K |
| Total Expenses | $682K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $675,772 |
| Net Assets | $173K |
| Transparency Score | 80/100 |
Is Bright Water Montessori School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bright Water Montessori School directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bright Water Montessori School
Bright Water Montessori School (EIN: 200366261) is a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, MN, classified under NTEE code B20. The organization reported total revenue of $676K and total assets of $244K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bright Water Montessori School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bright Water Montessori School is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 7 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2017). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2017)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $674K |
| Total Expenses | $682K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-8,319 |
| Total Assets | $244K |
| Total Liabilities | $71K |
| Net Assets | $173K |
| Operating Margin | -1.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 29.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 4.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2017, Bright Water Montessori School reported a deficit of $8K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 4.3 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 29.1% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 7 years of filings (2011–2017), Bright Water Montessori School's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | -1.9% | -6.4% | +13.2% |
| 2016 | -6.0% | -2.4% | -22.4% |
| 2015 | -1.1% | +3.3% | -14.7% |
| 2014 | +0.0% | +3.1% | -12.8% |
| 2013 | -0.2% | -10.6% | +314.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
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 Bright Water Montessori School with a Mission Score of 80 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bright Water Montessori School allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2017)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $8K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 29.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Bright Water Montessori School consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation falling below reporting thresholds, which is highly favorable for a nonprofit of its size (latest revenue $675,772).
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 Bright Water Montessori School's IRS 990 filings:
- Occasional operating deficits (e.g., 201706, 201606, 201506, 201206) where expenses exceeded revenue.
- Declining trend in total assets from $372,515 in 201306 to $243,503 in 201706.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bright Water Montessori School:
- Consistent operation over seven years with stable revenue streams.
- No reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds or strong volunteer leadership.
- Manageable liabilities relative to assets.
- Focus on educational mission (NTEE B20) with implied high program spending due to lack of executive compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bright Water Montessori School
Is Bright Water Montessori School a legitimate charity?
Bright Water Montessori School (EIN: 200366261) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Minnesota. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 80/100. It has 7 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $676K. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Bright Water Montessori School spend its money?
Bright Water Montessori School directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Bright Water Montessori School tax-deductible?
Bright Water Montessori School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200366261). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Bright Water Montessori School CEO make?
Bright Water Montessori School's highest-compensated officer earns $675,772 annually. The organization reported $676K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Bright Water Montessori School's spending goes to programs?
Bright Water Montessori School directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Bright Water Montessori School compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 80/100 (Excellent), Bright Water Montessori School is above average for NTEE category B20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Bright Water Montessori School located?
Bright Water Montessori School is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and files with the IRS under EIN 200366261. It is classified under NTEE code B20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bright Water Montessori School have?
Bright Water Montessori School has 7 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 $676K in total revenue.
Is Bright Water Montessori School financially sustainable given recent operating deficits?
While Bright Water Montessori School has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 201706, 201606), its asset base of $243,503 and manageable liabilities suggest it has reserves to cover shortfalls. However, sustained deficits could impact long-term sustainability.
What is the reason for the decline in assets from $372,515 in 201306 to $243,503 in 201706?
The IRS 990 data alone does not specify the exact reasons for asset fluctuations. It could be due to capital expenditures, depreciation, or using reserves to cover operating expenses during deficit years.
How does Bright Water Montessori School manage without reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that executive leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through non-reportable means, or that the roles are integrated into other staff positions. This practice can significantly reduce administrative overhead.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bright Water Montessori School showing financial trends over 7 years of public records:
Over 7 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2017), Bright Water Montessori School's revenue has declined by 2.4%, moving from $690K to $674K. Total assets increased by 100.7% over the same period, from $121K to $244K. Total functional expenses rose by 6.3%, from $642K to $682K. In its most recent filing year (2017), Bright Water Montessori School reported a deficit of $8K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $71K in liabilities against $244K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 29.1%), resulting in net assets of $173K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $674K | $682K | $244K | $71K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $687K | $729K | $215K | $34K | — | — |
| 2015 | $730K | $746K | $277K | $54K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $738K | $723K | $325K | $86K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $738K | $701K | $373K | $149K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $739K | $784K | $90K | $24K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $690K | $642K | $121K | $11K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2017: Revenue of $674K, expenses of $682K, and assets of $244K (revenue -1.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $687K, expenses of $729K, and assets of $215K (revenue -6.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $730K, expenses of $746K, and assets of $277K (revenue -1.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $738K, expenses of $723K, and assets of $325K (revenue +0.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $738K, expenses of $701K, and assets of $373K (revenue -0.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $739K, expenses of $784K, and assets of $90K (revenue +7.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $690K, expenses of $642K, and assets of $121K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bright Water Montessori School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bright Water Montessori 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.