Building From Below
Building From Below experienced a significant financial deficit in 2023 with expenses exceeding revenue by over $560,000.
EIN: 203788954 · Durham, NC · NTEE: B99 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Building From Below Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Building From Below directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Building From Below
Building From Below (EIN: 203788954) is a nonprofit organization based in Durham, NC, classified under NTEE code B99. The organization reported total revenue of $237K and total assets of $1.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Building From Below's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Building From Below is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $173K |
| Total Expenses | $738K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-564,753 |
| Total Assets | $2.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $43K |
| Net Assets | $1.9M |
| Operating Margin | -326.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 2.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 31.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Building From Below reported a deficit of $565K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 31.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 2.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Building From Below's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -85.6% | +76.4% | -22.9% |
| 2022 | +342.5% | +4.6% | +33.7% |
| 2021 | -53.1% | +20.5% | -6.5% |
| 2020 | +4.3% | -3.8% | +8.7% |
| 2019 | -20.5% | +24.9% | -12.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| 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 Building From Below with a Mission Score of 70 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: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Building From Below 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $565K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 2.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Building From Below consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to its officers, which is highly favorable for donor perception and resource allocation.
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 Building From Below's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant deficit in 2023: Expenses ($737,711) far exceeded revenue ($172,958).
- Substantial decrease in assets in 2023, from $2,540,681 to $1,959,759.
- Highly volatile revenue streams over the past decade, making financial planning challenging.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Building From Below:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings.
- Maintained substantial assets, exceeding $1.8 million in most recent filing.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 periods), indicating regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Building From Below
Is Building From Below a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Building From Below (EIN: 203788954) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Building From Below spend its money?
Building From Below directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Building From Below tax-deductible?
Building From Below is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203788954). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What caused the substantial increase in expenses in 2023 ($737,711) compared to previous years, especially given the lower revenue ($172,958)?
The provided data does not specify the nature of the expenses. It could be due to a large one-time project, asset depreciation, or a significant operational expansion not matched by revenue growth.
How does Building From Below plan to address the significant deficit experienced in 2023?
The financial data alone does not provide insight into future plans. This would require reviewing their financial statements, annual reports, or direct communication with the organization.
What is the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided summary data does not offer this level of detail. A full IRS Form 990 would be needed to analyze these categories.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Building From Below showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Building From Below's revenue has grown by 86.3%, moving from $93K to $173K. Total assets increased by 855.6% over the same period, from $205K to $2.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 891.1%, from $74K to $738K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Building From Below reported a deficit of $565K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $43K in liabilities against $2.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 2.2%), resulting in net assets of $1.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $173K | $738K | $2.0M | $43K | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.2M | $418K | $2.5M | $59K | — | — |
| 2021 | $271K | $400K | $1.9M | $199K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $577K | $332K | $2.0M | $202K | — | — |
| 2019 | $553K | $345K | $1.9M | $284K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $696K | $276K | $2.1M | $767K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $489K | $305K | $1.7M | $719K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $522K | $162K | $1.4M | $668K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $340K | $76K | $552K | $139K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $114K | $66K | $353K | $204K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $144K | $106K | $303K | $201K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $93K | $74K | $205K | $142K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $173K, expenses of $738K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -85.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $418K, and assets of $2.5M (revenue +342.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $271K, expenses of $400K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -53.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $577K, expenses of $332K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +4.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $553K, expenses of $345K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -20.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $696K, expenses of $276K, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +42.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $489K, expenses of $305K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -6.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $522K, expenses of $162K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +53.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $340K, expenses of $76K, and assets of $552K (revenue +198.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $114K, expenses of $66K, and assets of $353K (revenue -21.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $144K, expenses of $106K, and assets of $303K (revenue +55.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $93K, expenses of $74K, and assets of $205K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Building From Below:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Building From Below 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.