Lakes International Language Academy

Lakes International Language Academy shows strong program spending and revenue growth, but consistently reports liabilities exceeding assets.

EIN: 200393839 · Forest Lake, MN · NTEE: B29 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$19.2MRevenue
$19.1MGross Revenue
$11.8MAssets
85/100Mission Score (Excellent)
B29

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Lakes International Language Academy Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$19.2M
Total Expenses$17.7M
Program Spending95%
Net Assets$-2,118,012
Transparency Score85/100

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Lakes International Language Academy Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals

Lakes International Language Academy is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Lakes International Language Academy in one place.

Form 990 Filing Summary

13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $18.4M and expenses of $17.7M.

Revenue and Expenses

Lakes International Language Academy reported $18.4M in revenue and $17.7M in expenses, a surplus of $698K.

Executive Compensation

Officer, director, trustee, and key employee pay is reviewed from IRS 990 compensation disclosures when present.

Charity Score and Red Flags

85/100 mission score, 2 red flags, and 4 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.

Is Lakes International Language Academy Legit?

Some Concerns

GoodFiling Consistency
ExcellentSpending Efficiency
GoodTransparency
2 FoundRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

IRS 990 Data Cockpit

Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes

PendingDonor/Grant Funding
95%Program Expense
$0Grants Paid
13Stored Filing Years

Revenue Source Mix

Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.

Expense Deployment

Lakes International Language Academy Expense Deployment
Program services$16.8M (95%)

Across stored filings, Lakes International Language Academy shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.

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Lakes International Language Academy Donor Decision Matrix
Decision LensSignalWhat to Inspect Next
LegitimacySome ConcernsGood filing record; 2 red flags identified
Mission spend95% to programsExcellent
Financial durabilityGrade A13 stored filing years
Peer contextCompare with North American Lake Management SocietyMinnesota and Education context

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Lakes International Language Academy directs 95% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About Lakes International Language Academy

Lakes International Language Academy (EIN: 200393839) is a nonprofit organization based in Forest Lake, MN, classified under NTEE code B29. The organization reported total revenue of $19.2M and total assets of $11.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lakes International Language Academy's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

22Years Operating
LargeSize Classification
13Years of Filings
GrowingRevenue Trajectory

Lakes International Language Academy is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 11.7%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$18.4M
Total Expenses$17.7M
Surplus / Deficit+$698K
Total Assets$12.7M
Total Liabilities$14.8M
Net Assets$-2,118,012
Operating Margin3.8%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio116.6%
Months of Reserves8.6 months

Financial Health Grade: A

In 2023, Lakes International Language Academy reported a surplus of $698K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 8.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 116.6% (high leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Lakes International Language Academy's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023+4.4%+0.9%-1.4%
2022+11.6%+9.5%+5.8%
2021+3.6%+13.1%-4.8%
2020+20.9%+16.4%-1.2%
2019+9.6%+11.3%-3.9%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes2000
IRS Ruling Date2004

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) demonstrates consistent financial growth, with revenue increasing from $6.1 million in 2014 to over $19.1 million currently. The organization consistently spends a high proportion of its budget on program services, as evidenced by the close alignment of expenses to revenue across all reported periods, indicating efficient use of funds directly for its educational mission. For instance, in the 202306 period, expenses were $17,654,729 against revenues of $18,352,789, showing a strong commitment to program delivery. However, a notable concern is the consistent reporting of liabilities exceeding assets, particularly in recent years. For example, in 202306, liabilities were $14,844,103 compared to assets of $12,726,091, suggesting a reliance on debt or other obligations. While this is not uncommon for educational institutions with significant infrastructure, it warrants closer examination. The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing history and the explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation, which indicates that top executives are not drawing salaries from the organization, or their compensation is not reported in this category. Overall, LILA appears to be a financially stable and program-focused organization, effectively growing its operations to serve its mission. The primary area for further scrutiny would be the long-term implications of its asset-to-liability ratio, though its consistent revenue growth and operational efficiency suggest it is managing these obligations effectively.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Lakes International Language Academy 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: 4%
  • programs: 95%
  • fundraising: 1%

According to IRS 990 filings, Lakes International Language Academy allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 4%, programs: 95%, fundraising: 1%. With 95% 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:

$18.4MTotal Revenue
$17.7MTotal Expenses
$12.7MTotal Assets
$14.8MTotal Liabilities
$-2,118,012Net Assets
  • The organization reported a surplus of $698K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
  • Debt-to-asset ratio: 116.6%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that executive leadership either serves without direct compensation from the organization or their compensation is categorized differently, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation directly to mission-related activities.

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 Lakes International Language Academy's IRS 990 filings:

  • Consistent negative net assets (liabilities exceeding assets) across multiple years, e.g., $14,844,103 liabilities vs. $12,726,091 assets in 202306.
  • Unclear executive compensation structure given 0% reported officer compensation for an organization with nearly $20M in revenue.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Lakes International Language Academy:

  • Strong and consistent revenue growth, increasing from $6.1M in 2014 to $19.1M currently.
  • High proportion of spending dedicated to program services, with expenses closely tracking revenue.
  • Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency and compliance.
  • No reported officer compensation, suggesting resources are directed away from executive salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lakes International Language Academy

Is Lakes International Language Academy a legitimate charity?

Lakes International Language Academy (EIN: 200393839) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Minnesota. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $19.2M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.

How does Lakes International Language Academy spend its money?

Lakes International Language Academy directs 95% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 1%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.

Are donations to Lakes International Language Academy tax-deductible?

Lakes International Language Academy is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200393839). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

What percentage of Lakes International Language Academy's spending goes to programs?

Lakes International Language Academy directs 95% to programs, 1% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.

How does Lakes International Language Academy compare to similar nonprofits?

With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Lakes International Language Academy 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 Lakes International Language Academy located?

Lakes International Language Academy is headquartered in Forest Lake, Minnesota and files with the IRS under EIN 200393839. It is classified under NTEE code B29.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does Lakes International Language Academy have?

Lakes International Language Academy 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 $19.2M in total revenue.

Is Lakes International Language Academy financially stable despite liabilities exceeding assets?

While liabilities consistently exceed assets, the organization's strong and consistent revenue growth (from $6.1M in 2014 to $19.1M currently) and efficient spending (expenses closely track revenue) suggest operational stability and an ability to manage its obligations.

How does Lakes International Language Academy fund its operations without officer compensation?

The 0% officer compensation reported indicates that either executive roles are volunteer-based, or compensation for key management is not classified under 'officer compensation' in the 990 filings, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further inquiry into their operational structure.

What is the trend in the organization's net assets?

Net assets (Assets - Liabilities) have been consistently negative, for example, -$2,118,012 in 202306. This trend has persisted over several years, indicating a long-term reliance on debt or other obligations to finance operations and assets.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Lakes International Language Academy showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Lakes International Language Academy's revenue has grown by 276.3%, moving from $4.9M to $18.4M. Total assets increased by 391.1% over the same period, from $2.6M to $12.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 270.9%, from $4.8M to $17.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lakes International Language Academy reported a surplus of $698K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $14.8M in liabilities against $12.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 116.6%), resulting in net assets of $-2,118,012.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $18.4M $17.7M $12.7M $14.8M View 990
2022 $17.6M $17.5M $12.9M $15.9M View 990
2021 $15.7M $16.0M $12.2M $15.2M
2020 $15.2M $14.1M $12.8M $14.9M View 990
2019 $12.6M $12.1M $13.0M $15.1M View 990
2018 $11.5M $10.9M $13.5M $17.6M View 990
2017 $10.3M $9.8M $13.6M $15.8M View 990
2016 $8.7M $8.6M $3.9M $4.7M View 990
2015 $7.0M $7.0M $3.8M $4.6M View 990
2014 $6.1M $6.4M $2.6M $130K View 990
2013 $5.7M $5.5M $2.9M $181K View 990
2012 $5.3M $5.0M $2.8M $164K View 990
2011 $4.9M $4.8M $2.6M $205K View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

  • 2023: Revenue of $18.4M, expenses of $17.7M, and assets of $12.7M (revenue +4.4% year-over-year).
  • 2022: Revenue of $17.6M, expenses of $17.5M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue +11.6% year-over-year).
  • 2021: Revenue of $15.7M, expenses of $16.0M, and assets of $12.2M (revenue +3.6% year-over-year).
  • 2020: Revenue of $15.2M, expenses of $14.1M, and assets of $12.8M (revenue +20.9% year-over-year).
  • 2019: Revenue of $12.6M, expenses of $12.1M, and assets of $13.0M (revenue +9.6% year-over-year).
  • 2018: Revenue of $11.5M, expenses of $10.9M, and assets of $13.5M (revenue +11.3% year-over-year).
  • 2017: Revenue of $10.3M, expenses of $9.8M, and assets of $13.6M (revenue +18.7% year-over-year).
  • 2016: Revenue of $8.7M, expenses of $8.6M, and assets of $3.9M (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
  • 2015: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $7.0M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +14.9% year-over-year).
  • 2014: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +6.6% year-over-year).
  • 2013: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +9.0% year-over-year).
  • 2012: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +7.7% year-over-year).
  • 2011: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $2.6M.

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lakes International Language Academy:

2023 Filing 2022 Filing 2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2019 Filing 2018 Filing 2017 Filing 2016 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing 2012 Filing 2011 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Lakes International Language 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.

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