Brilliant Lecture Series Inc
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc. maintains operations with minimal assets and significant liabilities, reporting no officer compensation.
EIN: 203880735 · Houston, TX · NTEE: A70 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.3M |
| Total Expenses | $1.3M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1 |
| Net Assets | $-241,522 |
| Transparency Score | 60/100 |
Is Brilliant Lecture Series Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Brilliant Lecture Series Inc
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc (EIN: 203880735) is a nonprofit organization based in Houston, TX, classified under NTEE code A70. The organization reported total revenue of $1.3M and total assets of $25K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Brilliant Lecture Series Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2020). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.3M |
| Total Expenses | $1.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$7K |
| Total Assets | $25K |
| Total Liabilities | $266K |
| Net Assets | $-241,522 |
| Operating Margin | 0.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 1070.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2020, Brilliant Lecture Series Inc reported a surplus of $7K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 0.2 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 1070.0% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2020), Brilliant Lecture Series Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +7.8% | +8.0% | +6017.9% |
| 2019 | -27.6% | -33.4% | -92.4% |
| 2018 | -7.4% | -3.4% | +170.3% |
| 2017 | +23.9% | +46.9% | -39.7% |
| 2016 | +160.3% | +184.5% | -57.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Brilliant Lecture Series Inc with a Mission Score of 60 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Brilliant Lecture Series Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 1070.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization with over $1 million in annual revenue and suggests either a fully volunteer executive team or compensation reported under other expense categories.
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 Brilliant Lecture Series Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Very low assets relative to liabilities ($24,900 assets vs. $266,422 liabilities in 2020)
- Inconsistent asset growth over time, often declining significantly year-over-year (e.g., $407 in 2019 from $5,369 in 2018)
- Potential lack of transparency regarding executive compensation if executives are indeed paid but not reported as 'officer compensation'.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Brilliant Lecture Series Inc:
- Consistent operational history with 10 years of filings.
- Generally able to cover expenses with revenue in recent periods (e.g., 2020 and 2019).
- No reported officer compensation, which could indicate efficient use of funds if executives are volunteers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brilliant Lecture Series Inc
Is Brilliant Lecture Series Inc a legitimate charity?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc (EIN: 203880735) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Texas. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 60/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $1.3M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Brilliant Lecture Series Inc spend its money?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Brilliant Lecture Series Inc tax-deductible?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203880735). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Brilliant Lecture Series Inc CEO make?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $1 annually. The organization reported $1.3M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Brilliant Lecture Series Inc's spending goes to programs?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Brilliant Lecture Series Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 60/100 (Good), Brilliant Lecture Series Inc is above average for NTEE category A70 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Brilliant Lecture Series Inc located?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc is headquartered in Houston, Texas and files with the IRS under EIN 203880735. It is classified under NTEE code A70.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Brilliant Lecture Series Inc have?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc has 10 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 $1.3M in total revenue.
Is Brilliant Lecture Series Inc. financially stable?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc. shows signs of financial instability due to its very low asset base ($24,900 in 2020) compared to its significant liabilities ($266,422 in 2020). While recent revenues have generally covered expenses, the lack of substantial reserves makes it vulnerable to financial shocks.
How does Brilliant Lecture Series Inc. manage executive compensation?
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation in its IRS 990 filings, indicating that its top executives may be unpaid volunteers or compensated through means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990 form.
What is the trend in Brilliant Lecture Series Inc.'s revenue and expenses?
Brilliant Lecture Series Inc. has experienced fluctuating revenues, ranging from a low of $577,684 in 2015 to a high of $1,863,014 in 2017. Expenses generally track revenue, with the organization often operating close to break-even or with small surpluses/deficits, such as a $7,080 surplus in 2020.
What are the primary financial risks for Brilliant Lecture Series Inc.?
The primary financial risks include a very low asset base, high liabilities relative to assets, and a reliance on continuous revenue generation to cover operational costs without significant reserves. This structure leaves little room for error or unexpected downturns.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Brilliant Lecture Series Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2020), Brilliant Lecture Series Inc's revenue has grown by 33.8%, moving from $1.0M to $1.3M. Total assets increased by 304.7% over the same period, from $6K to $25K. Total functional expenses rose by 559%, from $203K to $1.3M. In its most recent filing year (2020), Brilliant Lecture Series Inc reported a surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $266K in liabilities against $25K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1070.0%), resulting in net assets of $-241,522.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $1.3M | $1.3M | $25K | $266K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.2M | $1.2M | $407 | $249K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.7M | $1.9M | $5K | $263K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.9M | $1.9M | $2K | $123K | — | — |
| 2016 | $1.5M | $1.3M | $3K | $60K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $578K | $461K | $8K | $95K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.7M | $1.6M | $116K | $127K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $833K | $1.0M | $34K | $124K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.3M | $1.0M | $206K | $110K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.0M | $203K | $6K | $136K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2020: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $25K (revenue +7.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $407 (revenue -27.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $5K (revenue -7.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $2K (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3K (revenue +160.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $578K, expenses of $461K, and assets of $8K (revenue -65.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $116K (revenue +101.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $833K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $34K (revenue -34.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $206K (revenue +25.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $203K, and assets of $6K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Brilliant Lecture Series Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Brilliant Lecture Series Inc 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.