Charleston School Of Law
Charleston School of Law's historical 990 filings show minimal financial activity and no officer compensation, contrasting sharply with its latest reported revenue of over $27 million.
EIN: 200596694 · Charleston, SC · NTEE: B28 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $27.1M |
| Total Expenses | $52K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $27 |
| Net Assets | $1.0M |
| Transparency Score | 60/100 |
Is Charleston School Of Law Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Charleston School Of Law directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Charleston School Of Law
Charleston School Of Law (EIN: 200596694) is a nonprofit organization based in Charleston, SC, classified under NTEE code B28. The organization reported total revenue of $27.1M and total assets of $41.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Charleston School Of Law's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Charleston School Of Law is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2022). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $72K |
| Total Expenses | $52K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$20K |
| Total Assets | $1.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $3K |
| Net Assets | $1.0M |
| Operating Margin | 28.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 241.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2022, Charleston School Of Law reported a surplus of $20K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 241.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2011–2022), Charleston School Of Law's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -58.8% | -61.7% | -11.2% |
| 2021 | +49.4% | -4.4% | +16.4% |
| 2020 | -19.4% | +1.5% | +4.3% |
| 2019 | +24.8% | +15.0% | +11.9% |
| 2018 | +9.4% | -17.8% | -9.4% |
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 Charleston School Of Law 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Charleston School Of Law allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $20K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% in all provided historical 990 filings, which is unusual for an organization of any size, especially one with a stated latest revenue of over $27 million. This suggests that executive compensation is either paid by a related entity, not reported on these specific 990s, or that the organization operates with entirely uncompensated leadership in the context of these filings.
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 Charleston School Of Law's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant discrepancy between latest reported revenue and historical 990 revenues without clear explanation.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all historical filings, which is atypical for an organization of this nature.
- Historical filings frequently show expenses exceeding revenue, indicating operational deficits in those specific periods.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Charleston School Of Law:
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period (12 filings), indicating a commitment to regulatory compliance for the entity filing these forms.
- The organization maintains a positive asset base in its historical filings, typically around $1 million, despite sometimes operating at a deficit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charleston School Of Law
Is Charleston School Of Law a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Charleston School Of Law (EIN: 200596694) some concerns. Mission Score: 60/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Charleston School Of Law spend its money?
Charleston School Of Law directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Charleston School Of Law tax-deductible?
Charleston School Of Law is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200596694). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Charleston School Of Law CEO make?
Charleston School Of Law's highest-compensated officer earns $27 annually. The organization reported $27.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Charleston School Of Law's spending goes to programs?
Charleston School Of Law directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Charleston School Of Law compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 60/100 (Good), Charleston School Of Law is above average for NTEE category B28 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Charleston School Of Law located?
Charleston School Of Law is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and files with the IRS under EIN 200596694. It is classified under NTEE code B28.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Charleston School Of Law have?
Charleston School Of Law has 12 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 $27.1M in total revenue.
Why is there such a large discrepancy between the latest reported revenue ($27,078,663) and the historical 990 revenues (typically under $200,000)?
The provided historical 990 data shows revenues consistently under $200,000, while the latest reported revenue is over $27 million. This significant difference suggests either a dramatic change in the organization's financial structure, a different reporting entity for the larger figures, or that the historical 990s represent a specific, smaller component of the overall institution.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all historical filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation in all historical 990 filings is unusual for an educational institution. This could indicate that officers are compensated by a parent organization, through a different legal entity, or that the individuals serving as officers are uncompensated volunteers for the entity filing these specific 990s.
What is the actual program spending ratio for the Charleston School of Law, given the limited financial detail in the historical 990s?
Based on the limited expense details in the historical 990s, it's difficult to ascertain a precise program spending ratio. The provided data only shows total expenses, not a breakdown. A more detailed analysis would require access to the full 990 forms for periods reflecting the organization's larger financial scale.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Charleston School Of Law showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2022), Charleston School Of Law's revenue has declined by 65.9%, moving from $212K to $72K. Total assets increased by 2.9% over the same period, from $1.0M to $1.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 155.9%, from $20K to $52K. In its most recent filing year (2022), Charleston School Of Law reported a surplus of $20K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $3K in liabilities against $1.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.3%), resulting in net assets of $1.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $72K | $52K | $1.0M | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $175K | $135K | $1.2M | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $117K | $141K | $1.0M | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $145K | $139K | $964K | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $117K | $121K | $861K | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $107K | $147K | $951K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $52K | $64K | $961K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $-2,383 | $185K | $962K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $226K | $333K | $1.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $107K | $124K | $1.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $317K | $29K | $1.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $212K | $20K | $1.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2022: Revenue of $72K, expenses of $52K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -58.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $175K, expenses of $135K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +49.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $117K, expenses of $141K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -19.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $145K, expenses of $139K, and assets of $964K (revenue +24.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $117K, expenses of $121K, and assets of $861K (revenue +9.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $107K, expenses of $147K, and assets of $951K (revenue +103.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $52K, expenses of $64K, and assets of $961K.
- 2015: Revenue of $-2,383, expenses of $185K, and assets of $962K (revenue -101.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $226K, expenses of $333K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +112.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $107K, expenses of $124K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -66.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $317K, expenses of $29K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +50.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $212K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $1.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Charleston School Of Law:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Charleston School Of Law 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.