Cambridge School
Cambridge School shows strong asset growth and consistent revenue surpluses over the past decade.
EIN: 204594308 · San Diego, CA · NTEE: B20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $16.1M |
| Total Expenses | $10.5M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $10 |
| Net Assets | $21.1M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Cambridge School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Cambridge School directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Cambridge School
Cambridge School (EIN: 204594308) is a nonprofit organization based in San Diego, CA, classified under NTEE code B20. The organization reported total revenue of $16.1M and total assets of $38.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Cambridge School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Cambridge School is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 21.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $13.0M |
| Total Expenses | $10.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$2.5M |
| Total Assets | $36.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $15.0M |
| Net Assets | $21.1M |
| Operating Margin | 19.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 41.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 41.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Cambridge School reported a surplus of $2.5M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 41.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 41.6% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Cambridge School's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -30.9% | +14.9% | -7.1% |
| 2022 | +126.7% | +13.6% | +98.8% |
| 2021 | -32.8% | +10.9% | +31.1% |
| 2020 | +76.4% | +8.5% | +11.4% |
| 2019 | +7.7% | +17.7% | +13.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Cambridge School with a Mission Score of 85 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, Cambridge 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 (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $2.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 41.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation across all periods, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with revenues exceeding $10 million annually. This suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that compensation is categorized differently, requiring deeper scrutiny of the full 990 forms for complete understanding.
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 Cambridge School's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low or zero reported officer compensation for an organization of this scale, potentially obscuring executive pay.
- Significant fluctuations in revenue year-over-year, such as the drop from $18,787,986 in 2022 to $12,986,819 in 2023, which could indicate reliance on variable funding sources or specific project cycles.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Cambridge School:
- Strong asset growth, increasing from $1,358,633 in 2014 to $36,160,211 in 2023, indicating robust financial health and capacity.
- Consistent revenue surpluses in most years, demonstrating effective expense management relative to income.
- Long filing history (13 filings) indicates sustained operation and compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
- Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $36M assets vs. $15M liabilities in 2023).
Frequently Asked Questions about Cambridge School
Is Cambridge School a legitimate charity?
Cambridge School (EIN: 204594308) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in California. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $16.1M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Cambridge School spend its money?
Cambridge School directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Cambridge School tax-deductible?
Cambridge School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204594308). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Cambridge School CEO make?
Cambridge School's highest-compensated officer earns $10 annually. The organization reported $16.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Cambridge School's spending goes to programs?
Cambridge School directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Cambridge School compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Cambridge 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 Cambridge School located?
Cambridge School is headquartered in San Diego, California and files with the IRS under EIN 204594308. It is classified under NTEE code B20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Cambridge School have?
Cambridge School has 13 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 $16.1M in total revenue.
How does Cambridge School manage to report 0% officer compensation given its size and revenue?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues in the millions. This could indicate a volunteer-led executive team, or that executive compensation is reported under other expense categories (e.g., salaries and wages for all employees), which would require reviewing the full 990 forms for clarification.
What is the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided summary data does not detail the specific percentages for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. To assess spending efficiency accurately, a deeper dive into the full IRS 990 forms, specifically Part IX, Statement of Functional Expenses, would be necessary.
What is the nature of the significant increase in liabilities, particularly from $10,318,602 in 2021 to $20,307,825 in 2022?
The substantial increase in liabilities, nearly doubling between 2021 and 2022, warrants further investigation. This could be due to new debt financing for expansion, capital projects, or other operational needs. While assets also grew significantly in the same period, understanding the nature of these liabilities is crucial for a complete financial picture.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Cambridge School showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Cambridge School's revenue has grown by 931.4%, moving from $1.3M to $13.0M. Total assets increased by 4702.5% over the same period, from $753K to $36.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 756.8%, from $1.2M to $10.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Cambridge School reported a surplus of $2.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $15.0M in liabilities against $36.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 41.6%), resulting in net assets of $21.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $13.0M | $10.5M | $36.2M | $15.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $18.8M | $9.1M | $38.9M | $20.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $8.3M | $8.1M | $19.6M | $10.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $12.3M | $7.3M | $14.9M | $6.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $7.0M | $6.7M | $13.4M | $9.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $6.5M | $5.7M | $11.8M | $8.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.0M | $4.9M | $10.1M | $7.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.5M | $4.1M | $9.6M | $7.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.4M | $3.6M | $7.3M | $5.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.0M | $3.0M | $1.4M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.5M | $2.4M | $1.2M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.7M | $1.6M | $1.0M | $1.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $753K | $793K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $13.0M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $36.2M (revenue -30.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $18.8M, expenses of $9.1M, and assets of $38.9M (revenue +126.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $8.3M, expenses of $8.1M, and assets of $19.6M (revenue -32.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $12.3M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $14.9M (revenue +76.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $6.7M, and assets of $13.4M (revenue +7.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $5.7M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue +29.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $10.1M (revenue +11.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $9.6M (revenue -17.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $7.3M (revenue +83.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +17.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +49.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +33.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $753K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Cambridge School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Cambridge 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.