D C Preparatory Academy
D C Preparatory Academy shows consistent growth in assets and revenue, with recent operating expenses slightly exceeding revenue.
EIN: 20550253 · Washington, DC · NTEE: B29 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is D C Preparatory Academy Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
D C Preparatory Academy directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About D C Preparatory Academy
D C Preparatory Academy (EIN: 20550253) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, classified under NTEE code B29. The organization reported total revenue of $68.1M and total assets of $119.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of D C Preparatory Academy's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
D C Preparatory Academy is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 23 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 11.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $60.6M |
| Total Expenses | $62.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,281,830 |
| Total Assets | $114.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $76.1M |
| Net Assets | $38.7M |
| Operating Margin | -3.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 66.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 21.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, D C Preparatory Academy reported a deficit of $2.3M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 21.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 66.3% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), D C Preparatory Academy's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -2.8% | +17.9% | +3.2% |
| 2022 | +28.5% | +24.6% | +22.8% |
| 2021 | -1.5% | -1.1% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | +13.1% | +1.0% | +6.1% |
| 2019 | +9.7% | +8.5% | +0.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2003 |
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 D C Preparatory Academy with a Mission Score of 88 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, D C Preparatory Academy 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 deficit of $2.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 66.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for officer compensation, which suggests that either no compensation is paid to officers, or it is reported under different categories, warranting further investigation 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 D C Preparatory Academy's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual executive pay if reported elsewhere.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for D C Preparatory Academy:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $22.6M in 2014 to $60.5M in 2023.
- Significant asset growth, more than doubling from $49.6M in 2014 to $114.8M in 2023.
- Generally strong financial management with expenses closely aligned with revenues in most periods.
- Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, indicating financial stability.
Frequently Asked Questions about D C Preparatory Academy
Is D C Preparatory Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, D C Preparatory Academy (EIN: 20550253) some concerns. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does D C Preparatory Academy spend its money?
D C Preparatory Academy directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to D C Preparatory Academy tax-deductible?
D C Preparatory Academy is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20550253). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is D C Preparatory Academy a good charity?
Based on its financial history, D C Preparatory Academy appears to be a well-managed organization with consistent growth in assets and revenue, indicating a strong capacity to deliver on its mission. Its program spending efficiency is likely high given the close alignment of expenses to revenue over many years.
How has D C Preparatory Academy's financial health changed over time?
The organization has shown significant financial growth, with assets more than doubling from $49.6 million in 2014 to $114.8 million in 2023, and revenue increasing from $22.6 million to $60.5 million over the same period, indicating robust expansion and financial stability.
What is the trend in D C Preparatory Academy's operating surplus/deficit?
D C Preparatory Academy has generally operated with a surplus or near break-even, with notable surpluses in 2022 ($9.0 million) and 2021 ($5.7 million). The most recent filing (2023) shows a slight deficit of $2.2 million, which is not uncommon for growing organizations and follows a period of strong surpluses.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for D C Preparatory Academy showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), D C Preparatory Academy's revenue has grown by 223.3%, moving from $18.7M to $60.6M. Total assets increased by 335.1% over the same period, from $26.4M to $114.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 276.9%, from $16.7M to $62.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), D C Preparatory Academy reported a deficit of $2.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $76.1M in liabilities against $114.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 66.3%), resulting in net assets of $38.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $60.6M | $62.8M | $114.8M | $76.1M | — | — |
| 2022 | $62.3M | $53.3M | $111.3M | $72.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $48.5M | $42.8M | $90.6M | $64.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $49.2M | $43.3M | $85.9M | $66.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $43.5M | $42.8M | $80.9M | $66.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $39.7M | $39.5M | $80.4M | $66.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $35.5M | $36.3M | $87.6M | $74.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $32.0M | $32.1M | $59.5M | $45.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $27.8M | $26.9M | $58.4M | $44.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $22.7M | $22.2M | $49.6M | $36.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $21.3M | $19.9M | $27.9M | $15.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $18.7M | $16.7M | $26.4M | $15.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $60.6M, expenses of $62.8M, and assets of $114.8M (revenue -2.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $62.3M, expenses of $53.3M, and assets of $111.3M (revenue +28.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $48.5M, expenses of $42.8M, and assets of $90.6M (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $49.2M, expenses of $43.3M, and assets of $85.9M (revenue +13.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $43.5M, expenses of $42.8M, and assets of $80.9M (revenue +9.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $39.7M, expenses of $39.5M, and assets of $80.4M (revenue +11.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $35.5M, expenses of $36.3M, and assets of $87.6M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $32.0M, expenses of $32.1M, and assets of $59.5M (revenue +15.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $27.8M, expenses of $26.9M, and assets of $58.4M (revenue +22.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $22.7M, expenses of $22.2M, and assets of $49.6M (revenue +6.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $21.3M, expenses of $19.9M, and assets of $27.9M (revenue +13.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $18.7M, expenses of $16.7M, and assets of $26.4M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for D C Preparatory Academy:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for D C Preparatory Academy 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.