Chess In The Schools Inc
Chess In The Schools Inc consistently operates with surpluses and zero reported officer compensation, growing assets to over $17 million.
EIN: 136119036 · New York, NY · NTEE: N50Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.9M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $17 |
| Net Assets | $16.1M |
| Transparency Score | 95/100 |
Is Chess In The Schools Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Chess In The Schools Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Chess In The Schools Inc
Chess In The Schools Inc (EIN: 136119036) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code N50Z. The organization reported total revenue of $7.9M and total assets of $19.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Chess In The Schools Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Chess In The Schools Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 70 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.8M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$149K |
| Total Assets | $17.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.1M |
| Net Assets | $16.1M |
| Operating Margin | 5.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 6.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 77.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Chess In The Schools Inc reported a surplus of $149K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 77.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 6.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Chess In The Schools Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -2.6% | +9.4% | +13.7% |
| 2022 | +42.6% | +5.5% | -12.5% |
| 2021 | -11.0% | +5.9% | +27.3% |
| 2020 | -6.2% | -2.6% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | +10.3% | -4.9% | +5.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1956 |
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 Chess In The Schools Inc with a Mission Score of 95 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Chess In The Schools Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% 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 $149K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 6.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $17 million. This suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is categorized differently within their financial statements, warranting further scrutiny for complete transparency.
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 Chess In The Schools Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could mask compensation categorized elsewhere.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Chess In The Schools Inc:
- Consistent financial surpluses or near-balanced budgets, demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
- Steady growth in assets over the past decade, indicating strong financial health and sustainability.
- Remarkably low reported officer compensation (0%), suggesting a high dedication of funds to programmatic activities.
- Strong program focus implied by the lack of reported officer compensation and consistent operational efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chess In The Schools Inc
Is Chess In The Schools Inc a legitimate charity?
Chess In The Schools Inc (EIN: 136119036) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 95/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $7.9M. 1 red flag identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Chess In The Schools Inc spend its money?
Chess In The Schools Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Chess In The Schools Inc tax-deductible?
Chess In The Schools Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136119036). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Chess In The Schools Inc CEO make?
Chess In The Schools Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $17 annually. The organization reported $7.9M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Chess In The Schools Inc's spending goes to programs?
Chess In The Schools Inc directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Chess In The Schools Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 95/100 (Excellent), Chess In The Schools Inc is above average for NTEE category N50Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Chess In The Schools Inc located?
Chess In The Schools Inc is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 136119036. It is classified under NTEE code N50Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Chess In The Schools Inc have?
Chess In The Schools Inc 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 $7.9M in total revenue.
Is Chess In The Schools Inc a good charity?
Based on the available IRS 990 data, Chess In The Schools Inc appears to be a very good charity. They consistently operate with a surplus or near-balanced budget, have growing assets, and notably report 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong focus on program delivery and efficient use of funds.
How does Chess In The Schools Inc manage its executive compensation?
The IRS 990 filings consistently show 0% officer compensation. This is highly unusual for an organization of its scale and suggests that executive leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through mechanisms not classified as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which would require deeper investigation into their detailed financial statements.
What is the trend in Chess In The Schools Inc's assets?
Chess In The Schools Inc has shown a consistent upward trend in assets, growing from $12,893,141 in 2014 to $17,210,902 in 2023, indicating strong financial stewardship and accumulation of resources over time.
Does Chess In The Schools Inc spend efficiently?
Yes, the organization appears to spend very efficiently. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation and the general trend of revenues meeting or exceeding expenses suggest that a significant portion of funds is directed towards their mission, minimizing overhead.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Chess In The Schools Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Chess In The Schools Inc's revenue has grown by 3%, moving from $2.7M to $2.8M. Total assets increased by 38.3% over the same period, from $12.4M to $17.2M. Total functional expenses fell by 8.5%, from $2.9M to $2.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Chess In The Schools Inc reported a surplus of $149K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1.1M in liabilities against $17.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 6.3%), resulting in net assets of $16.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.8M | $2.7M | $17.2M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.9M | $2.4M | $15.1M | $139K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.0M | $2.3M | $17.3M | $374K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.3M | $2.2M | $13.6M | $343K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $2.4M | $2.2M | $13.5M | $97K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $2.2M | $2.4M | $12.9M | $67K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.2M | $2.8M | $12.5M | $181K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.9M | $2.8M | $11.9M | $81K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.0M | $3.0M | $11.8M | $158K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.6M | $2.8M | $12.9M | $159K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.5M | $3.1M | $11.8M | $93K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.6M | $3.0M | $11.8M | $64K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.7M | $2.9M | $12.4M | $41K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $17.2M (revenue -2.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $15.1M (revenue +42.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $17.3M (revenue -11.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $13.6M (revenue -6.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $13.5M (revenue +10.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue -1.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $12.5M (revenue -22.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue +45.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue -23.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue -3.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue -6.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $12.4M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Chess In The Schools Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Chess In The Schools 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.