Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science shows consistent revenue growth and strong asset accumulation with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 202738271 · Portland, OR · NTEE: B29 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.2M |
| Total Expenses | $2.3M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2 |
| Net Assets | $839K |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science (EIN: 202738271) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, OR, classified under NTEE code B29. The organization reported total revenue of $2.2M and total assets of $3.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 17 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 8.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.3M |
| Total Expenses | $2.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$17K |
| Total Assets | $4.4M |
| Total Liabilities | $3.6M |
| Net Assets | $839K |
| Operating Margin | 0.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 81.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 23.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science reported a surplus of $17K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 23.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 81.0% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -3.8% | +18.8% | -9.8% |
| 2022 | +22.1% | -3.4% | +47.8% |
| 2021 | +9.6% | +57.0% | +111.5% |
| 2020 | +6.1% | -24.4% | -2.0% |
| 2019 | -3.8% | -5.7% | +12.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2009 |
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 Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science 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: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. 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 $17K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 81.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers or that these roles are filled by volunteers, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with over $2 million in annual revenue.
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 Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization with over $2 million in revenue, which is unusual and may warrant further investigation into compensation structures.
- Significant increase in liabilities alongside assets, requiring deeper analysis to ensure sustainable debt management.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science:
- Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $1,470,399 in 2017 to $2,315,522 in 2023.
- Strong asset accumulation, with assets growing from $934,964 in 2016 to $4,421,724 in 2023.
- Positive net income in most recent years, indicating financial stability (e.g., 2023 revenue $2,315,522 vs. expenses $2,298,297).
- Robust filing history with 13 IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science
Is Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science a legitimate charity?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science (EIN: 202738271) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Oregon. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $2.2M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science spend its money?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 3%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science tax-deductible?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202738271). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science CEO make?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science's highest-compensated officer earns $2 annually. The organization reported $2.2M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science's spending goes to programs?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science directs 90% to programs, 3% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science is above average for NTEE category B29 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science located?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and files with the IRS under EIN 202738271. It is classified under NTEE code B29.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science have?
Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science 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 $2.2M in total revenue.
How does Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science manage to operate without reporting any officer compensation?
The IRS 990 filings consistently show 0% officer compensation. This could mean that executive leadership roles are filled by volunteers, or compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported under 'Officer Compensation' on the 990, such as through a related management entity or as general employee salaries.
What is the primary source of the organization's revenue, given its NTEE code B29 (Elementary & Secondary Education)?
While the filings show total revenue, the specific breakdown of revenue sources (e.g., tuition, grants, donations) is not detailed in the provided summary. Given its NTEE code, it is highly probable that tuition fees, state funding for charter schools, and grants are significant contributors.
What is the nature of the significant liabilities reported, such as $3,582,621 in 2023?
The liabilities have grown alongside assets. For an educational institution, these could include mortgages on school property, long-term debt for facility expansion, or deferred revenue. Further investigation into the balance sheet details would be needed to understand the composition of these liabilities.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science's revenue has grown by 172.2%, moving from $851K to $2.3M. Total assets increased by 1832.7% over the same period, from $229K to $4.4M. Total functional expenses rose by 155.7%, from $899K to $2.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science reported a surplus of $17K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $3.6M in liabilities against $4.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 81.0%), resulting in net assets of $839K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.3M | $2.3M | $4.4M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.4M | $1.9M | $4.9M | $4.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.0M | $2.0M | $3.3M | $3.0M | — | — |
| 2020 | $1.8M | $1.3M | $1.6M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.7M | $1.7M | $1.6M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.8M | $1.8M | $1.4M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.5M | $1.6M | $1.4M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.5M | $1.9M | $935K | $971K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.5M | $1.1M | $904K | $515K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $0 | $0 | $98K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.3M | $1.1M | $531K | $350K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.2M | $1.0M | $399K | $330K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $851K | $899K | $229K | $329K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $4.4M (revenue -3.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +22.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $3.3M (revenue +9.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -3.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $935K (revenue -3.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $904K.
- 2014: Revenue of $0, expenses of $0, and assets of $98K (revenue -100.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $531K (revenue +4.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $399K (revenue +42.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $851K, expenses of $899K, and assets of $229K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Cottonwood School Of Civics And Science 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.