Mark Ross Montessori Foundation
Mark Ross Montessori Foundation consistently operates at a deficit, drawing down assets while maintaining no officer compensation.
EIN: 202556775 · Carbondale, CO · NTEE: B11 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mark Ross Montessori Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Mark Ross Montessori Foundation
Mark Ross Montessori Foundation (EIN: 202556775) is a nonprofit organization based in Carbondale, CO, classified under NTEE code B11. The organization reported total revenue of $441K and total assets of $7.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mark Ross Montessori Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Mark Ross Montessori Foundation is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 5 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 13.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $465K |
| Total Expenses | $522K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-57,585 |
| Total Assets | $7.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $6.2M |
| Net Assets | $1.5M |
| Operating Margin | -12.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 80.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 175.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2024, Mark Ross Montessori Foundation reported a deficit of $58K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 175.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 80.6% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2011–2024), Mark Ross Montessori Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -6.9% | -7.3% | -2.2% |
| 2023 | -14.9% | -4.4% | -2.3% |
| 2022 | +32.6% | +31.8% | -1.6% |
| 2021 | +2.5% | +3.8% | -1.3% |
| 2020 | +4.1% | -22.6% | -2.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2021 |
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 Mark Ross Montessori Foundation with a Mission Score of 70 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Mark Ross Montessori Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. 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 $58K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 80.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or other compensation are paid to its officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its asset size ($7,629,377 in 202406).
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 Mark Ross Montessori Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, e.g., $522,168 expenses vs. $464,583 revenue in 202406)
- Declining total assets over time (from $9,204,761 in 201606 to $7,629,377 in 202406)
- High liabilities relative to assets ($6,151,698 liabilities vs. $7,629,377 assets in 202406)
- Declining net assets (Assets - Liabilities) over the past few years
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mark Ross Montessori Foundation:
- High transparency with 14 IRS 990 filings available
- No officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating a volunteer-led or highly efficient leadership structure
- Substantial asset base, despite recent declines ($7,629,377 in 202406)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mark Ross Montessori Foundation
Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mark Ross Montessori Foundation (EIN: 202556775) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Mark Ross Montessori Foundation spend its money?
Mark Ross Montessori Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Mark Ross Montessori Foundation tax-deductible?
Mark Ross Montessori Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202556775). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation a good charity?
The foundation exhibits strong transparency and a commitment to its mission by not compensating officers. However, its consistent operating deficits and declining net assets raise concerns about long-term financial sustainability, which could impact its ability to deliver on its mission.
How does the organization cover its operating deficits?
With expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $522,168 expenses vs. $464,583 revenue in 202406), the organization appears to be covering its deficits by drawing down its existing assets or through other non-revenue income sources not detailed in the provided summary.
What is the trend in the organization's net assets?
The organization's net assets (Assets - Liabilities) have been declining. For example, net assets were $1,502,300 in 202406 ($7,629,377 - $6,151,698), down from $1,535,264 in 202306 and significantly lower than the $1,587,303 in 202206, indicating a consistent erosion of its financial cushion.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mark Ross Montessori Foundation showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2024), Mark Ross Montessori Foundation's revenue has grown by 415.8%, moving from $90K to $465K. Total assets increased by 6020.3% over the same period, from $125K to $7.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 342%, from $118K to $522K. In its most recent filing year (2024), Mark Ross Montessori Foundation reported a deficit of $58K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $6.2M in liabilities against $7.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 80.6%), resulting in net assets of $1.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $465K | $522K | $7.6M | $6.2M | — | — |
| 2023 | $499K | $563K | $7.8M | $6.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $587K | $589K | $8.0M | $6.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $442K | $447K | $8.1M | $6.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $432K | $430K | $8.2M | $6.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $414K | $556K | $8.5M | $6.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $499K | $423K | $8.6M | $6.9M | — | — |
| 2017 | $484K | $445K | $8.6M | $7.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $640K | $271K | $9.2M | $7.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $456K | $140K | $2.7M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $536K | $195K | $696K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $519K | $313K | $363K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $316K | $293K | $148K | $348 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $90K | $118K | $125K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $465K, expenses of $522K, and assets of $7.6M (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $499K, expenses of $563K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue -14.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $587K, expenses of $589K, and assets of $8.0M (revenue +32.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $442K, expenses of $447K, and assets of $8.1M (revenue +2.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $432K, expenses of $430K, and assets of $8.2M (revenue +4.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $414K, expenses of $556K, and assets of $8.5M (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $499K, expenses of $423K, and assets of $8.6M (revenue +3.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $484K, expenses of $445K, and assets of $8.6M (revenue -24.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $640K, expenses of $271K, and assets of $9.2M (revenue +40.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $456K, expenses of $140K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue -14.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $536K, expenses of $195K, and assets of $696K (revenue +3.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $519K, expenses of $313K, and assets of $363K (revenue +64.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $316K, expenses of $293K, and assets of $148K (revenue +250.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $90K, expenses of $118K, and assets of $125K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Mark Ross Montessori Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mark Ross Montessori 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.