Childrens Imagination Station

Childrens Imagination Station maintains stable finances with zero liabilities and no officer compensation, despite a recent deficit.

EIN: 200500812 · Denison, IA · NTEE: P33 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$691KRevenue

$488KAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

P33

About Childrens Imagination Station

Childrens Imagination Station (EIN: 200500812) is a nonprofit organization based in Denison, IA, classified under NTEE code P33. The organization reported total revenue of $691K and total assets of $488K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Childrens Imagination Station's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Childrens Imagination Station demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams over the past decade, averaging around $500,000-$600,000 annually. While the organization experienced a deficit in 2023, with expenses of $692,771 exceeding revenue of $624,477, this follows a strong surplus in 2022 where revenue significantly outpaced expenses ($872,380 vs. $592,658). The organization consistently reports zero liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet and responsible financial management. Their assets have shown growth, particularly a notable increase from $279,901 in 2021 to $559,623 in 2022, before a slight dip to $491,329 in 2023.

Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, as the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that resources are directed towards programs and operational needs rather than high executive salaries. This commitment to minimizing administrative overhead is a positive indicator for donors. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods also reflects a strong commitment to transparency.

Overall, Childrens Imagination Station appears to be a financially sound organization with a good track record of managing its resources effectively and transparently. The recent deficit in 2023 should be monitored, but given the prior year's surplus and zero liabilities, it does not immediately signal a severe financial issue. Their consistent asset growth and lack of debt are strong positive indicators.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Childrens Imagination Station with a Mission Score of 90 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, Childrens Imagination Station 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive salaries from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues consistently in the hundreds of thousands.

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 Childrens Imagination Station's IRS 990 filings:

Recent deficit in 2023 ($692,771 expenses vs. $624,477 revenue)

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Childrens Imagination Station:

Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings
Zero liabilities reported consistently, indicating strong financial health
Healthy and growing asset base, reaching $491,329 in 2023
Strong surplus in 2022 ($872,380 revenue vs. $592,658 expenses)
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods demonstrates transparency

Frequently Asked Questions about Childrens Imagination Station

Is Childrens Imagination Station a good charity?

Based on the available financial data, Childrens Imagination Station appears to be a good charity. They consistently report 0% officer compensation, have zero liabilities, and maintain a healthy asset base, all of which are strong indicators of responsible financial management and a focus on their mission.

How does Childrens Imagination Station manage its expenses?

The organization generally manages its expenses well, often operating with surpluses, such as in 2022 where revenue ($872,380) significantly exceeded expenses ($592,658). While there was a deficit in 2023 ($624,477 revenue vs. $692,771 expenses), this follows a period of strong financial health and does not appear to be a systemic issue given their history.

What is the trend in Childrens Imagination Station's assets?

Childrens Imagination Station's assets have shown a positive growth trend over the past decade, increasing from $243,232 in 2014 to $491,329 in 2023, with a peak of $559,623 in 2022. This indicates a healthy accumulation of resources.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Childrens Imagination Station showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Childrens Imagination Station's revenue has grown by 31.9%, moving from $473K to $624K. Total assets increased by 178.6% over the same period, from $176K to $491K. Total functional expenses rose by 39.6%, from $496K to $693K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Childrens Imagination Station reported a deficit of $68K, with expenses exceeding revenue.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$624K	$693K	$491K	$0	—	View 990
2022	$872K	$593K	$560K	$0	—	View 990
2021	$654K	$509K	$280K	$0	—	View 990
2020	$385K	$404K	$134K	$0	—	—
2019	$510K	$519K	$153K	$0	—	View 990
2018	$521K	$544K	$162K	$0	—	View 990
2017	$502K	$530K	$185K	$0	—	View 990
2016	$523K	$551K	$214K	$0	—	View 990
2015	$565K	$566K	$242K	$0	—	View 990
2014	$577K	$572K	$243K	$1	—	View 990
2013	$593K	$554K	$237K	$0	—	View 990
2012	$551K	$529K	$202K	$0	—	View 990
2011	$473K	$496K	$176K	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $624K, expenses of $693K, and assets of $491K (revenue -28.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $872K, expenses of $593K, and assets of $560K (revenue +33.4% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $654K, expenses of $509K, and assets of $280K (revenue +70.0% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $385K, expenses of $404K, and assets of $134K (revenue -24.6% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $510K, expenses of $519K, and assets of $153K (revenue -2.1% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $521K, expenses of $544K, and assets of $162K (revenue +3.8% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $502K, expenses of $530K, and assets of $185K (revenue -4.0% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $523K, expenses of $551K, and assets of $214K (revenue -7.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $565K, expenses of $566K, and assets of $242K (revenue -2.1% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $577K, expenses of $572K, and assets of $243K (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $593K, expenses of $554K, and assets of $237K (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $551K, expenses of $529K, and assets of $202K (revenue +16.5% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $473K, expenses of $496K, and assets of $176K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Childrens Imagination Station 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.