Dream Schools
Dream Schools reports minimal expenses despite growing revenue and assets, raising questions about operational transparency.
EIN: 204657268 · Pittsburgh, PA · NTEE: B60 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.4M |
| Total Expenses | $10K |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $10 |
| Net Assets | $6.4M |
| Transparency Score | 60/100 |
Is Dream Schools Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Dream Schools directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Dream Schools
Dream Schools (EIN: 204657268) is a nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA, classified under NTEE code B60. The organization reported total revenue of $1.4M and total assets of $11.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Dream Schools's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Dream Schools is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 21.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.0M |
| Total Expenses | $10K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.0M |
| Total Assets | $10.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $4.0M |
| Net Assets | $6.4M |
| Operating Margin | 99.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 38.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 12837.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Dream Schools reported a surplus of $1.0M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 12837.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 38.6% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Dream Schools's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +33.2% | -18.5% | +2.6% |
| 2022 | +17.6% | +5.3% | +3.8% |
| 2021 | +12.5% | +3.1% | +9.0% |
| 2020 | -26.8% | +3.8% | +26.8% |
| 2019 | +48.4% | -44.5% | +9.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| 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 Dream Schools with a Mission Score of 60 out of 100 (Good). 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, Dream Schools 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 $1.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 38.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Dream Schools consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting either a fully volunteer executive team or that executive compensation is categorized under other expense lines, which limits transparency regarding leadership costs for an organization with over $10 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 Dream Schools's IRS 990 filings:
- Extremely low reported expenses relative to revenue and assets, raising questions about full financial disclosure (e.g., $9,785 expenses on $1,047,935 revenue in 2023).
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base.
- Lack of clear breakdown for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses due to minimal overall reported expenses.
- Significant liabilities relative to assets, such as $4,040,386 in liabilities against $10,467,826 in assets in 2023, without clear explanation of their nature.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Dream Schools:
- Consistent growth in assets, from $4.04 million in 2014 to $10.97 million currently, indicating financial stability and accumulation of resources.
- Steady revenue generation, with latest revenue at $1,427,605, showing ongoing financial support.
- No reported officer compensation, which could indicate a highly volunteer-driven leadership model, potentially reducing overhead if true.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dream Schools
Is Dream Schools a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Dream Schools (EIN: 204657268) some concerns. Mission Score: 60/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Dream Schools spend its money?
Dream Schools directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Dream Schools tax-deductible?
Dream Schools is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204657268). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Dream Schools CEO make?
Dream Schools's highest-compensated officer earns $10 annually. The organization reported $1.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Dream Schools's spending goes to programs?
Dream Schools directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Dream Schools compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 60/100 (Good), Dream Schools is above average for NTEE category B60 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Dream Schools located?
Dream Schools is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and files with the IRS under EIN 204657268. It is classified under NTEE code B60.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Dream Schools have?
Dream Schools 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 $1.4M in total revenue.
How does Dream Schools operate with such consistently low reported expenses, such as $9,785 in 2023 against $1,047,935 in revenue?
The extremely low reported expenses across all filings, often less than 1% of revenue, suggest that either the organization has an exceptionally lean operational model, significant in-kind contributions not fully reflected, or that a substantial portion of its activities and related costs are not being fully captured or reported in the standard expense categories on the 990 form. Further clarification from the organization would be needed to understand this financial anomaly.
What are the primary activities and programs of Dream Schools, given its NTEE code B60 (Elementary & Secondary Education) and minimal reported expenses?
With reported expenses consistently below 2% of revenue, it is unclear how Dream Schools is funding its educational programs. While the NTEE code indicates a focus on elementary and secondary education, the financial data does not provide a clear picture of program spending. This lack of detail makes it difficult to assess the impact and scope of its mission-related activities.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all 13 filings, despite significant asset growth?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation could indicate that the organization is entirely run by unpaid volunteers at the executive level. However, for an organization managing over $10 million in assets and generating over $1 million in revenue, this is unusual and warrants further inquiry to ensure all forms of compensation and benefits are transparently disclosed.
How does Dream Schools manage its liabilities, which have fluctuated significantly, reaching $5.2 million in 2021 and $4.04 million in 2023, relative to its assets?
Dream Schools has maintained significant liabilities, often ranging from 30% to 50% of its total assets. While assets have grown, the consistent presence of substantial liabilities, such as $4,040,386 in 2023, suggests ongoing financial obligations that need to be managed. Understanding the nature of these liabilities (e.g., mortgages, program-related investments) would provide a clearer picture of the organization's financial structure.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Dream Schools showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Dream Schools's revenue has grown by 889.6%, moving from $106K to $1.0M. Total assets increased by 204.4% over the same period, from $3.4M to $10.5M. Total functional expenses fell by 79.9%, from $49K to $10K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Dream Schools reported a surplus of $1.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $4.0M in liabilities against $10.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 38.6%), resulting in net assets of $6.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.0M | $10K | $10.5M | $4.0M | — | — |
| 2022 | $787K | $12K | $10.2M | $4.8M | — | — |
| 2021 | $669K | $11K | $9.8M | $5.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $595K | $11K | $9.0M | $5.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $812K | $11K | $7.1M | $3.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $547K | $19K | $6.5M | $3.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $365K | $0 | $6.3M | $4.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $210K | $42K | $6.7M | $5.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $398K | $15K | $4.1M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $386K | $3K | $4.0M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $194K | $49K | $4.1M | $3.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $22K | $39K | $4.1M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $106K | $49K | $3.4M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $10K, and assets of $10.5M (revenue +33.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $787K, expenses of $12K, and assets of $10.2M (revenue +17.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $669K, expenses of $11K, and assets of $9.8M (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $595K, expenses of $11K, and assets of $9.0M (revenue -26.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $812K, expenses of $11K, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +48.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $547K, expenses of $19K, and assets of $6.5M (revenue +50.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $365K, expenses of $0, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +73.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $210K, expenses of $42K, and assets of $6.7M (revenue -47.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $398K, expenses of $15K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue +3.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $386K, expenses of $3K, and assets of $4.0M (revenue +99.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $194K, expenses of $49K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue +787.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $22K, expenses of $39K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue -79.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $106K, expenses of $49K, and assets of $3.4M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Dream Schools:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Dream Schools 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.