Denver Scholarship Foundation
Denver Scholarship Foundation maintains strong asset growth despite recent operational deficits.
EIN: 205143175 · Denver, CO · NTEE: B99 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Denver Scholarship Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Denver Scholarship Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Denver Scholarship Foundation
Denver Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 205143175) is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, CO, classified under NTEE code B99. The organization reported total revenue of $16.9M and total assets of $39.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Denver Scholarship Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Denver Scholarship Foundation is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 17.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $16.5M |
| Total Expenses | $17.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-774,904 |
| Total Assets | $39.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.4M |
| Net Assets | $37.5M |
| Operating Margin | -4.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 6.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 27.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2024, Denver Scholarship Foundation reported a deficit of $775K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 27.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 6.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2011–2024), Denver Scholarship Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.8% | +6.9% | +6.5% |
| 2023 | +8.5% | +34.9% | +10.7% |
| 2022 | -10.6% | +14.5% | -8.7% |
| 2021 | +37.1% | +0.6% | +33.1% |
| 2020 | +39.9% | -2.8% | +9.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Denver Scholarship Foundation 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: 12%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 8%
According to IRS 990 filings, Denver Scholarship Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 12%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 8%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $775K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 6.1%.
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 a different category, warranting further investigation for complete transparency on executive remuneration relative to the organization's $16.5 million revenue and $39.8 million in assets.
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 Denver Scholarship Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2024: $16.5M revenue vs. $17.2M expenses; 2023: $15.1M revenue vs. $16.1M expenses).
- Reporting 0% for Officer Compensation across all filings, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Denver Scholarship Foundation:
- Strong and growing asset base, reaching $39,897,161 in 2024.
- Consistent revenue generation, with latest reported revenue at $16,520,489.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), indicating transparency and compliance.
- Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with liabilities remaining a small percentage of total assets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Denver Scholarship Foundation
Is Denver Scholarship Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Denver Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 205143175) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Denver Scholarship Foundation spend its money?
Denver Scholarship Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Denver Scholarship Foundation tax-deductible?
Denver Scholarship Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 205143175). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Denver Scholarship Foundation a good charity?
Based on its strong asset base ($39.8M in 2024), consistent revenue generation (over $16M in 2024), and apparent commitment to its mission as indicated by asset growth and consistent operations, it appears to be a well-managed organization. The consistent 0% officer compensation reported is unusual and warrants further investigation for a complete picture of executive pay.
How has the organization's financial health changed over time?
The organization has shown significant growth in assets, from $27.8 million in 2020 to $39.8 million in 2024. Revenue has also generally increased, though expenses have sometimes exceeded revenue in recent periods, such as in 2024 ($16.5M revenue vs. $17.2M expenses) and 2023 ($15.1M revenue vs. $16.1M expenses).
What is the trend in the organization's liabilities?
Liabilities have fluctuated but generally remained a small fraction of total assets. They increased from $574,111 in 2022 to $2,428,689 in 2024, which is still a manageable amount relative to the organization's nearly $40 million in assets.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Denver Scholarship Foundation showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2024), Denver Scholarship Foundation's revenue has grown by 726%, moving from $2.0M to $16.5M. Total assets increased by 9.1% over the same period, from $36.6M to $39.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 354.6%, from $3.8M to $17.3M. In its most recent filing year (2024), Denver Scholarship Foundation reported a deficit of $775K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.4M in liabilities against $39.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 6.1%), resulting in net assets of $37.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16.5M | $17.3M | $39.9M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $15.2M | $16.2M | $37.4M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $14.0M | $12.0M | $33.8M | $574K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $15.7M | $10.5M | $37.0M | $585K | — | — |
| 2020 | $11.4M | $10.4M | $27.8M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $8.2M | $10.7M | $25.3M | $241K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $10.5M | $9.3M | $28.1M | $438K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $9.3M | $8.2M | $29.3M | $631K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $5.6M | $7.6M | $28.2M | $371K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $4.3M | $7.9M | $35.4M | $990K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.4M | $7.3M | $34.8M | $417K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $6.4M | $7.0M | $34.9M | $443K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.0M | $3.8M | $36.6M | $421K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $16.5M, expenses of $17.3M, and assets of $39.9M (revenue +8.8% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $15.2M, expenses of $16.2M, and assets of $37.4M (revenue +8.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $14.0M, expenses of $12.0M, and assets of $33.8M (revenue -10.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $15.7M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $37.0M (revenue +37.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $11.4M, expenses of $10.4M, and assets of $27.8M (revenue +39.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $8.2M, expenses of $10.7M, and assets of $25.3M (revenue -22.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $9.3M, and assets of $28.1M (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $9.3M, expenses of $8.2M, and assets of $29.3M (revenue +66.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $7.6M, and assets of $28.2M.
- 2015: Revenue of $0, expenses of $0, and assets of $0 (revenue -100.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $4.3M, expenses of $7.9M, and assets of $35.4M (revenue +28.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $34.8M (revenue -47.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $6.4M, expenses of $7.0M, and assets of $34.9M (revenue +221.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $36.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Denver Scholarship Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Denver Scholarship Foundation 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.