Lion Project
Lion Project shows fluctuating financial health with recent high liabilities and inconsistent revenue-expense balance.
EIN: 200216168 · Denver, CO · NTEE: P20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Lion Project Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Lion Project directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Lion Project
Lion Project (EIN: 200216168) is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, CO, classified under NTEE code P20. The organization reported total revenue of $322K and total assets of $34K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lion Project's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Lion Project is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 18 years, with 8 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2013–2022). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 12.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $31K |
| Total Expenses | $319K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-287,494 |
| Total Assets | $287K |
| Total Liabilities | $407K |
| Net Assets | $-120,111 |
| Operating Margin | -918.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 141.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2022, Lion Project reported a deficit of $287K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 10.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 141.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 8 years of filings (2013–2022), Lion Project's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -92.9% | -24.8% | -47.0% |
| 2021 | +166.4% | +94.5% | +257.7% |
| 2020 | -21.1% | -1.6% | +79.2% |
| 2019 | +49.7% | +125.5% | -5.4% |
| 2018 | +41.8% | +28.9% | +34.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2008 |
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 Lion Project with a Mission Score of 65 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Lion Project allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $287K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 141.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is categorized under other expense lines, which could obscure true leadership costs relative to the organization's size and revenue fluctuations.
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 Lion Project's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant liabilities exceeding assets in 2022 ($406,703 liabilities vs. $286,592 assets).
- Dramatic revenue decrease in 2022 ($31,314) compared to 2021 ($440,759).
- Expenses frequently exceeding revenue, notably in 2022 ($318,808 expenses vs. $31,314 revenue) and 2020 ($217,894 expenses vs. $165,467 revenue).
- Inconsistent financial performance with large year-over-year fluctuations in revenue and expenses.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Lion Project:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, potentially indicating a volunteer-driven leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to raise significant funds in certain periods, such as $440,759 in 2021.
- Long filing history (8 filings) indicating sustained operation over time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lion Project
Is Lion Project a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lion Project (EIN: 200216168) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Lion Project spend its money?
Lion Project directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Lion Project tax-deductible?
Lion Project is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200216168). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Lion Project financially stable given its recent liabilities?
The Lion Project's financial stability is questionable, particularly in 2022, where liabilities ($406,703) significantly exceeded assets ($286,592). This indicates a potential over-reliance on debt or short-term obligations relative to its available resources.
What caused the large increase in liabilities in 2022?
The filings do not provide specific details on the nature of the liabilities, but the jump from $373,655 in 2021 to $406,703 in 2022, especially when revenue was only $31,314, warrants further investigation into the organization's financial obligations.
How does Lion Project manage to operate with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which would require deeper scrutiny of their detailed expense statements for full clarity.
What is the reason for the significant revenue drop in 2022 compared to 2021?
Revenue dropped from $440,759 in 2021 to $31,314 in 2022, a substantial decrease. The filings do not specify the cause, but such a dramatic reduction could indicate a loss of major funding sources or a change in fundraising strategy.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Lion Project showing financial trends over 8 years of public records:
Over 8 years of IRS 990 filings (2013–2022), Lion Project's revenue has grown by 176.7%, moving from $11K to $31K. Total assets increased by 5481.1% over the same period, from $5K to $287K. Total functional expenses rose by 3355.9%, from $9K to $319K. In its most recent filing year (2022), Lion Project reported a deficit of $287K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $407K in liabilities against $287K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 141.9%), resulting in net assets of $-120,111.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $31K | $319K | $287K | $407K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $441K | $424K | $541K | $374K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $165K | $218K | $151K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $210K | $221K | $84K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $140K | $98K | $89K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $99K | $76K | $67K | $34K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $55K | $59K | $10K | $477 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $11K | $9K | $5K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2022: Revenue of $31K, expenses of $319K, and assets of $287K (revenue -92.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $441K, expenses of $424K, and assets of $541K (revenue +166.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $165K, expenses of $218K, and assets of $151K (revenue -21.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $210K, expenses of $221K, and assets of $84K (revenue +49.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $140K, expenses of $98K, and assets of $89K (revenue +41.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $99K, expenses of $76K, and assets of $67K (revenue +81.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $55K, expenses of $59K, and assets of $10K (revenue +381.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $11K, expenses of $9K, and assets of $5K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lion Project:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Lion Project 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.