San Luis Obispo Classical Academy

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy shows consistent growth but recent filing indicates a deficit and increased liabilities.

EIN: 203131883 · Sn Luis Obisp, CA · NTEE: B24 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$10.8MRevenue
$8.7MGross Revenue
$4.1MAssets
85/100Mission Score (Excellent)
B24

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San Luis Obispo Classical Academy Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$10.8M
Total Expenses$5.7M
Program Spending85%
CEO/Top Officer Pay$10
Net Assets$933K
Transparency Score85/100

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San Luis Obispo Classical Academy Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals

San Luis Obispo Classical 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 San Luis Obispo Classical Academy in one place.

Form 990 Filing Summary

13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $5.4M and expenses of $5.7M.

Revenue and Expenses

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy reported $5.4M in revenue and $5.7M in expenses, a deficit of $291K.

Executive Compensation

Top officer compensation appears as $10 in the stored analysis, with context against revenue and expenses below.

Charity Score and Red Flags

85/100 mission score, 2 red flags, and 3 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.

Is San Luis Obispo Classical 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
85%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

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy Expense Deployment
Program services$4.9M (85%)

Across stored filings, San Luis Obispo Classical Academy shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.

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San Luis Obispo Classical Academy Donor Decision Matrix
Decision LensSignalWhat to Inspect Next
LegitimacySome ConcernsGood filing record; 2 red flags identified
Mission spend85% to programsExcellent
Financial durabilityGrade C13 stored filing years
Peer contextCompare with Butte County Fire Safe CouncilCalifornia and Education context

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San Luis Obispo Classical Academy directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About San Luis Obispo Classical Academy

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (EIN: 203131883) is a nonprofit organization based in Sn Luis Obisp, CA, classified under NTEE code B24. The organization reported total revenue of $10.8M and total assets of $4.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of San Luis Obispo Classical Academy's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

20Years Operating
LargeSize Classification
13Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 15.6%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$5.4M
Total Expenses$5.7M
Surplus / Deficit$-290,994
Total Assets$2.7M
Total Liabilities$1.7M
Net Assets$933K
Operating Margin-5.3%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio64.8%
Months of Reserves5.6 months

Financial Health Grade: C

In 2023, San Luis Obispo Classical Academy reported a deficit of $291K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 5.6 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 64.8% (high leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), San Luis Obispo Classical Academy's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023+1.2%+14.9%+70.5%
2022+29.0%+45.6%+32.2%
2021+25.1%+9.3%+1.5%
2020+2.9%-7.2%+104.4%
2019+19.9%+25.0%-6.3%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes2000
IRS Ruling Date2006

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

AI Transparency Report

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy demonstrates a pattern of consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, with latest revenue reported at $10,812,864 and assets at $4,050,886. The organization has generally managed its expenses well, often operating with a surplus, as seen in 202206 where revenue was $5,378,042 against expenses of $4,989,908. However, the 202306 filing shows expenses ($5,732,924) exceeding revenue ($5,441,930), indicating a slight deficit for that period. The organization's liabilities have also seen a significant increase, from $307,049 in 202206 to $1,720,545 in 202306, which warrants closer examination. The academy's financial health appears stable given its growth trajectory, but the recent increase in liabilities and the deficit in the latest reported period suggest a need for careful monitoring of financial management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive pay, which is a positive sign for transparency and efficiency. Further details on program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs would provide a more complete picture of spending efficiency, as this data is not explicitly provided in the summary.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates San Luis Obispo Classical 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: 10%
  • programs: 85%
  • fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, San Luis Obispo Classical Academy allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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:

$5.4MTotal Revenue
$5.7MTotal Expenses
$2.7MTotal Assets
$1.7MTotal Liabilities
$933KNet Assets
  • The organization reported a deficit of $291K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
  • Debt-to-asset ratio: 64.8%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization, which is highly commendable for an organization of its size with over $10 million in latest revenue.

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 San Luis Obispo Classical Academy's IRS 990 filings:

  • Expenses exceeded revenue in the 202306 period, indicating a deficit.
  • Significant increase in liabilities from $307,049 in 202206 to $1,720,545 in 202306.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for San Luis Obispo Classical Academy:

  • Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $1,621,316 in 201406 to $10,812,864 latest revenue.
  • Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication of resources to mission.
  • Strong asset growth, from $108,286 in 201406 to $4,050,886 latest assets.

Frequently Asked Questions about San Luis Obispo Classical Academy

Is San Luis Obispo Classical Academy a legitimate charity?

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (EIN: 203131883) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in California. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $10.8M. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.

How does San Luis Obispo Classical Academy spend its money?

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.

Are donations to San Luis Obispo Classical Academy tax-deductible?

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203131883). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

How much does the San Luis Obispo Classical Academy CEO make?

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy's highest-compensated officer earns $10 annually. The organization reported $10.8M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.

What percentage of San Luis Obispo Classical Academy's spending goes to programs?

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.

How does San Luis Obispo Classical Academy compare to similar nonprofits?

With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is above average for NTEE category B24 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.

Where is San Luis Obispo Classical Academy located?

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is headquartered in Sn Luis Obisp, California and files with the IRS under EIN 203131883. It is classified under NTEE code B24.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does San Luis Obispo Classical Academy have?

San Luis Obispo Classical 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 $10.8M in total revenue.

Is San Luis Obispo Classical Academy a good charity?

Based on the available data, the academy demonstrates strong financial growth and a commendable commitment to its mission by reporting 0% officer compensation. While there was a deficit in the 202306 period and increased liabilities, its overall trajectory and program focus suggest it is a well-managed organization.

What caused the significant increase in liabilities in 202306?

The liabilities increased from $307,049 in 202206 to $1,720,545 in 202306. Without further detail from the full 990 filing, it's unclear if this is due to new debt, deferred revenue, or other obligations. This would require a deeper dive into the financial statements.

How does the organization plan to address the deficit reported in 202306?

In 202306, expenses ($5,732,924) exceeded revenue ($5,441,930). The organization would need to outline its strategy for returning to a surplus, whether through increased revenue generation or expense management, which is not detailed in the provided summary.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for San Luis Obispo Classical Academy showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), San Luis Obispo Classical Academy's revenue has grown by 469.5%, moving from $956K to $5.4M. Total assets increased by 7292.5% over the same period, from $36K to $2.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 533.4%, from $905K to $5.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), San Luis Obispo Classical Academy reported a deficit of $291K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.7M in liabilities against $2.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 64.8%), resulting in net assets of $933K.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $5.4M $5.7M $2.7M $1.7M View 990
2022 $5.4M $5.0M $1.6M $307K View 990
2021 $4.2M $3.4M $1.2M $316K
2020 $3.3M $3.1M $1.2M $1.0M View 990
2019 $3.2M $3.4M $567K $644K View 990
2018 $2.7M $2.7M $606K $541K View 990
2017 $2.6M $2.6M $679K $612K View 990
2016 $2.0M $2.1M $712K $702K View 990
2015 $1.8M $1.7M $353K $199K View 990
2014 $1.6M $1.6M $108K $54K View 990
2013 $1.3M $1.2M $79K $71K View 990
2012 $1.1M $1.1M $67K $111K View 990
2011 $956K $905K $36K $111K View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

  • 2023: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.7M, and assets of $2.7M (revenue +1.2% year-over-year).
  • 2022: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +29.0% year-over-year).
  • 2021: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +25.1% year-over-year).
  • 2020: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +2.9% year-over-year).
  • 2019: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $567K (revenue +19.9% year-over-year).
  • 2018: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $606K (revenue +2.4% year-over-year).
  • 2017: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $679K (revenue +32.2% year-over-year).
  • 2016: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $712K (revenue +13.5% year-over-year).
  • 2015: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $353K (revenue +8.4% year-over-year).
  • 2014: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $108K (revenue +26.7% year-over-year).
  • 2013: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $79K (revenue +15.3% year-over-year).
  • 2012: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $67K (revenue +16.1% year-over-year).
  • 2011: Revenue of $956K, expenses of $905K, and assets of $36K.

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for San Luis Obispo Classical 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 San Luis Obispo Classical 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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