Build A Plane

Build A Plane reports $0 revenue and assets in latest filing after years of volatile financial activity.

EIN: 204035633 · Tesuque, NM · NTEE: B25 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$0Revenue

$0Assets

20/100Mission Score (Poor)

B25

About Build A Plane

Build A Plane (EIN: 204035633) is a nonprofit organization based in Tesuque, NM, classified under NTEE code B25. The organization reported total revenue of $0 and total assets of $0 according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Build A Plane's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Build A Plane exhibits a highly volatile financial history, with revenue fluctuating dramatically from $62,313 in 2011 to a peak of $1,677,100 in 2018, followed by a complete cessation of reported activity with $0 revenue and assets in its latest filing. This extreme variability makes consistent financial health assessment challenging. The organization consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator for donor trust and suggests resources are not being diverted to high executive salaries. However, the sudden and complete lack of financial activity in the latest period raises significant concerns about its operational status and long-term viability.

Spending efficiency is difficult to ascertain without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses. While the organization generally spent less than or close to its revenue in most years, the 2018 period saw expenses of $1,716,708 exceeding revenue of $1,677,100, indicating a deficit. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in that specific area. However, the complete absence of financial data in the latest filing severely impacts transparency, as there is no current information to analyze.

Overall, while past filings showed some operational activity and a commitment to not paying officers, the current status of $0 revenue and assets, coupled with the lack of any detailed expense breakdown, presents a very opaque picture. Donors would have no current financial information to evaluate, making it impossible to assess current spending efficiency or program impact. The organization's transparency is severely compromised by its current inactive financial state.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Build A Plane with a Mission Score of 20 out of 100 (Poor). 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: 75%
fundraising: 10%

According to IRS 990 filings, Build A Plane allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Build A Plane consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries were paid to its officers, which is a strong positive for minimizing administrative costs.

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 Build A Plane's IRS 990 filings:

Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, indicating potential cessation of operations.
Extreme revenue volatility across reporting periods, making financial planning and sustainability uncertain.
Expenses exceeded revenue in 2018 ($1,716,708 expenses vs. $1,677,100 revenue), leading to a deficit.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in provided data prevents a thorough analysis of spending efficiency.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Build A Plane:

Consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating no executive salaries were paid.
Maintained positive assets in most operational years, peaking at $566,810 in 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions about Build A Plane

Is Build A Plane currently operational?

Based on the latest IRS 990 data showing $0 revenue and $0 assets, it appears Build A Plane is no longer actively operating or has ceased all financial activity.

What caused the sudden cessation of financial activity?

The provided IRS 990 data does not offer details on the reasons for the sudden drop from over $1.6 million in revenue in 2018 to $0 in the latest filing. Further investigation outside of these filings would be required.

How did Build A Plane manage its finances during periods of high revenue volatility?

The organization experienced significant revenue swings, such as from $172,200 in 2016 to $1,677,100 in 2018. While it generally managed to keep expenses close to or below revenue, the 2018 period saw expenses exceed revenue by approximately $39,608, indicating a deficit in that year.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Build A Plane showing financial trends over 8 years of public records:

Over 8 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2018), Build A Plane's revenue has grown by 2591.4%, moving from $62K to $1.7M. Total assets increased by 952.7% over the same period, from $49K to $520K. Total functional expenses rose by 1942.2%, from $84K to $1.7M. In its most recent filing year (2018), Build A Plane reported a deficit of $40K, with expenses exceeding revenue.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2018	$1.7M	$1.7M	$520K	$0	—	View 990
2017	$668K	$306K	$567K	$7K	—	View 990
2016	$172K	$93K	$204K	$7K	—	View 990
2015	$106K	$75K	$126K	$7K	—	View 990
2014	$101K	$90K	$94K	$7K	—	View 990
2013	$156K	$93K	$83K	$7K	—	View 990
2012	$44K	$76K	$20K	$7K	—	View 990
2011	$62K	$84K	$49K	$5K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2018: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $520K (revenue +150.9% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $668K, expenses of $306K, and assets of $567K (revenue +288.2% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $172K, expenses of $93K, and assets of $204K (revenue +62.2% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $106K, expenses of $75K, and assets of $126K (revenue +5.1% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $101K, expenses of $90K, and assets of $94K (revenue -35.2% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $156K, expenses of $93K, and assets of $83K (revenue +254.6% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $44K, expenses of $76K, and assets of $20K (revenue -29.4% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $62K, expenses of $84K, and assets of $49K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Build A Plane 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.