Knox School
Knox School faces persistent deficits and escalating liabilities, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue over the past decade.
EIN: 111743680 · St James, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.8M |
| Total Expenses | $8.9M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $-12,020,634 |
| Transparency Score | 45/100 |
Is Knox School Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Knox School directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Knox School
Knox School (EIN: 111743680) is a nonprofit organization based in St James, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $6.8M and total assets of $5.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Knox School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Knox School is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 71 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $6.3M |
| Total Expenses | $8.9M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,575,411 |
| Total Assets | $5.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $17.8M |
| Net Assets | $-12,020,634 |
| Operating Margin | -40.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 307.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Knox School reported a deficit of $2.6M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 7.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 307.7% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Knox School's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +24.0% | +16.4% | +13.1% |
| 2022 | -22.8% | +4.4% | -16.4% |
| 2021 | -17.4% | -30.3% | -17.2% |
| 2020 | +9.6% | +15.1% | +31.8% |
| 2019 | +10.6% | +23.3% | +24.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1955 |
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 Knox School with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Knox School allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $2.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 307.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no compensation was paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is unusual for an organization of its size and suggests a high level of volunteer leadership or that compensation is reported under other categories.
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 Knox School's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in every reported period, indicating a structural financial imbalance.
- Rapidly increasing liabilities: Liabilities have grown from $6,034,889 in 201406 to $17,808,667 in 202306, far outpacing asset growth.
- High liabilities-to-assets ratio: Liabilities are over three times assets in 202306 ($17,808,667 vs. $5,788,033), posing a significant solvency risk.
- Negative net assets: The consistent deficits and increasing liabilities suggest that net assets may be negative or rapidly declining.
- Unusual 0% officer compensation: While potentially positive, it's highly uncommon for an organization of this size and warrants further inquiry into leadership compensation structures.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Knox School:
- Consistent revenue generation: The organization consistently generates several million dollars in revenue annually, indicating a stable base of support.
- Long operating history: With 13 filings over a decade, the organization has demonstrated longevity.
- No reported officer compensation: The 0% officer compensation suggests a commitment to minimizing direct executive overhead, though further clarity is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Knox School
Is Knox School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Knox School (EIN: 111743680) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 5 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Knox School spend its money?
Knox School directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Knox School tax-deductible?
Knox School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 111743680). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Knox School's spending goes to programs?
Knox School directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Knox School located?
Knox School is headquartered in St James, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 111743680.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Knox School have?
Knox School 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 $6.8M in total revenue.
How does Knox School plan to address its consistent operating deficits?
The filings consistently show expenses exceeding revenue, with a $2,575,411 deficit in 202306. The organization needs a clear strategy to achieve financial equilibrium.
What is the breakdown of the significant increase in liabilities?
Liabilities have nearly tripled from $6,034,889 in 201406 to $17,808,667 in 202306. Understanding the nature of this debt (e.g., mortgages, bonds, loans) is crucial for assessing risk.
How does Knox School sustain operations with negative net income year after year?
With consistent deficits, the organization must be drawing on reserves, increasing debt, or receiving significant non-operating income not reflected in the revenue figures to cover expenses.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0%?
For an organization with millions in revenue and expenses, 0% officer compensation is highly unusual and warrants clarification on how leadership is compensated or if these roles are entirely volunteer-based.
What is the long-term financial strategy given the high liabilities-to-assets ratio?
With liabilities significantly exceeding assets ($17,808,667 vs. $5,788,033 in 202306), the organization's solvency is a concern, and a robust plan for financial stability is needed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Knox School showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Knox School's revenue has declined by 6.4%, moving from $6.7M to $6.3M. Total assets decreased by 10.7% over the same period, from $6.5M to $5.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 17.4%, from $7.6M to $8.9M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Knox School reported a deficit of $2.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $17.8M in liabilities against $5.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 307.7%), resulting in net assets of $-12,020,634.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.3M | $8.9M | $5.8M | $17.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $5.1M | $7.6M | $5.1M | $14.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $6.6M | $7.3M | $6.1M | $13.0M | — | — |
| 2020 | $8.0M | $10.5M | $7.4M | $13.6M | — | — |
| 2019 | $7.3M | $9.1M | $5.6M | $9.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $6.6M | $7.4M | $4.5M | $6.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.9M | $7.3M | $5.2M | $6.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $6.7M | $7.3M | $6.7M | $6.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $6.4M | $7.2M | $7.1M | $6.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.7M | $7.8M | $7.7M | $6.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $7.8M | $8.4M | $7.4M | $4.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $9.2M | $7.7M | $8.5M | $5.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6.7M | $7.6M | $6.5M | $4.6M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $8.9M, and assets of $5.8M (revenue +24.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $7.6M, and assets of $5.1M (revenue -22.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $6.6M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $6.1M (revenue -17.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.0M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $7.4M (revenue +9.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $7.3M, expenses of $9.1M, and assets of $5.6M (revenue +10.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $6.6M, expenses of $7.4M, and assets of $4.5M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $5.2M (revenue -11.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $6.7M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $6.4M, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue -4.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $7.8M, and assets of $7.7M (revenue -15.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $7.8M, expenses of $8.4M, and assets of $7.4M (revenue -15.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $9.2M, expenses of $7.7M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +37.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $7.6M, and assets of $6.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Knox School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Knox School 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.