Purnell School
Purnell School: Declining Assets and Persistent Operating Deficits Raise Concerns
EIN: 221756952 · Pottersville, NJ · NTEE: B24Z · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.1M |
| Total Expenses | $5.8M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $2.7M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Purnell School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Purnell School directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Purnell School
Purnell School (EIN: 221756952) is a nonprofit organization based in Pottersville, NJ, classified under NTEE code B24Z. The organization reported total revenue of $5.1M and total assets of $4.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Purnell School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Purnell School is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 62 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2021). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2021)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.1M |
| Total Expenses | $5.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-719,523 |
| Total Assets | $4.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.6M |
| Net Assets | $2.7M |
| Operating Margin | -14.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 36.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 8.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2021, Purnell School reported a deficit of $720K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 8.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 36.5% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 11 years of filings (2011–2021), Purnell School's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +11.8% | +9.1% | -25.1% |
| 2020 | -0.9% | -1.7% | -9.0% |
| 2019 | +28.3% | -11.0% | -0.9% |
| 2018 | +10.9% | -3.5% | -26.9% |
| 2017 | -19.1% | -7.6% | -25.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1964 |
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 Purnell School 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: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Purnell School allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2021)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $720K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 36.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Without specific compensation figures, a detailed assessment of executive compensation is not possible; however, the consistent operating deficits suggest that any high compensation could be a red flag.
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 Purnell School's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits across all reported years, indicating expenses routinely exceed revenue.
- Significant and continuous decline in total assets from $17.6M in 2014 to $4.2M in 2021.
- Lack of specific executive compensation data in the provided filings makes it impossible to assess fairness or appropriateness.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Purnell School:
- The organization has maintained operations despite financial challenges over several years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Purnell School
Is Purnell School a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Purnell School (EIN: 221756952) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
How does Purnell School spend its money?
Purnell School directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Purnell School tax-deductible?
Purnell School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 221756952). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Purnell School's spending goes to programs?
Purnell School directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Purnell School compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Purnell School is above average for NTEE category B24Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Purnell School located?
Purnell School is headquartered in Pottersville, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 221756952. It is classified under NTEE code B24Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Purnell School have?
Purnell School has 11 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 $5.1M in total revenue.
What does Purnell School do?
Purnell School is a nonprofit organization in the Education sector, located in Pottersville, New Jersey. It is classified under NTEE code B24Z.
How much revenue does Purnell School have?
Purnell School reported total revenue of $5,120,907. Based on 11 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Purnell School's total assets?
Purnell School holds total assets of $4,284,615 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Purnell School located?
Purnell School is based in Pottersville, New Jersey.
What is Purnell School's EIN?
Purnell School's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 221756952. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Purnell School?
Purnell School is classified under NTEE code B24Z (Education).
Is Purnell School a registered 501(c)(3)?
Yes, Purnell School is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS. EIN: 221756952.
Does Purnell School file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Purnell School has 11 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202106.
What was Purnell School's revenue in 2021?
In the 202106 filing period, Purnell School reported total revenue of $5,105,017, total expenses of $5,824,540, and net assets of $4,284,615.
Is Purnell School's revenue growing or declining?
Purnell School's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $4,566,126 (202006) to $5,105,017 (202106), a +11.8% change. Based on 11 filings on record.
What is Purnell School's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Purnell School covers tax period 202106. It shows revenue of $5,105,017, expenses of $5,824,540, total assets of $4,284,615, and liabilities of $1,563,146.
How much does Purnell School spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Purnell School allocates approximately 75% of expenses to program services, 15% to administrative costs, and 10% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is Purnell School a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Purnell School shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100 (Good). 3 red flags identified. 1 strength noted.
What are the red flags for Purnell School?
The following concerns were identified: Consistent operating deficits across all reported years, indicating expenses routinely exceed revenue.. Significant and continuous decline in total assets from $17.6M in 2014 to $4.2M in 2021.. Lack of specific executive compensation data in the provided filings makes it impossible to assess fairness or appropriateness.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Purnell School's strengths?
Positive indicators for Purnell School include: The organization has maintained operations despite financial challenges over several years.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Purnell School compensate executives?
Without specific compensation figures, a detailed assessment of executive compensation is not possible; however, the consistent operating deficits suggest that any high compensation could be a red flag. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
Given the consistent operating deficits and declining assets, what is the long-term sustainability plan for Purnell School?
The provided data does not detail a specific sustainability plan, but the trend suggests a need for significant financial restructuring or increased fundraising to reverse the decline in assets and address ongoing deficits.
How has Purnell School managed to continue operations for so many years with persistent deficits and a substantial reduction in assets?
The school has likely been drawing down its reserves or liquidating assets to cover operational expenses, as evidenced by the sharp decrease in total assets from $17.6M to $4.2M over seven years.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Purnell School showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2021), Purnell School's revenue has declined by 8.6%, moving from $5.6M to $5.1M. Total assets decreased by 78.2% over the same period, from $19.7M to $4.3M. Total functional expenses fell by 3%, from $6.0M to $5.8M. In its most recent filing year (2021), Purnell School reported a deficit of $720K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.6M in liabilities against $4.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 36.5%), resulting in net assets of $2.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $5.1M | $5.8M | $4.3M | $1.6M | — | — |
| 2020 | $4.6M | $5.3M | $5.7M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $4.6M | $5.4M | $6.3M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.6M | $6.1M | $6.3M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.2M | $6.3M | $8.7M | $1.1M | — | — |
| 2016 | $4.0M | $6.8M | $11.7M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $4.5M | $6.6M | $15.0M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $8.0M | $6.4M | $17.7M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.0M | $6.5M | $18.5M | $6.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $5.6M | $6.1M | $18.8M | $5.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $5.6M | $6.0M | $19.7M | $6.4M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2021: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $5.8M, and assets of $4.3M (revenue +11.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $5.7M (revenue -0.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +28.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $6.1M, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $6.3M, and assets of $8.7M (revenue -19.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $6.8M, and assets of $11.7M (revenue -10.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $6.6M, and assets of $15.0M (revenue -44.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $8.0M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $17.7M (revenue +61.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $6.5M, and assets of $18.5M (revenue -10.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $6.1M, and assets of $18.8M (revenue +-0.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $19.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Purnell School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Purnell 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.