School Of Applied Arts
School Of Applied Arts faces financial challenges with expenses consistently exceeding revenue and growing liabilities.
EIN: 204025519 · Fort Collins, CO · NTEE: B30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is School Of Applied Arts Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
School Of Applied Arts directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About School Of Applied Arts
School Of Applied Arts (EIN: 204025519) is a nonprofit organization based in Fort Collins, CO, classified under NTEE code B30. The organization reported total revenue of $141K and total assets of $95K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of School Of Applied Arts's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
School Of Applied Arts is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2021). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2021)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $141K |
| Total Expenses | $205K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-63,121 |
| Total Assets | $95K |
| Total Liabilities | $157K |
| Net Assets | $-61,743 |
| Operating Margin | -44.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 164.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 5.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2021, School Of Applied Arts reported a deficit of $63K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 5.6 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 164.7% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 11 years of filings (2011–2021), School Of Applied Arts's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +48.0% | +53.8% | +127.7% |
| 2020 | -11.3% | +62.0% | +43.1% |
| 2019 | +91.6% | +43.1% | +148.3% |
| 2018 | -14.3% | +16.1% | -8.0% |
| 2017 | -25.8% | -50.4% | -17.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 School Of Applied Arts 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: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, School Of Applied Arts 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 (2021)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $63K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 164.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officer salaries are paid, which is highly commendable for an organization of its size and 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 School Of Applied Arts's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (e.g., $204,611 expenses vs. $141,490 revenue in 2021).
- Liabilities ($157,101 in 2021) significantly exceed total assets ($95,358 in 2021).
- Significant increase in liabilities from $41,882 in 2020 to $157,101 in 2021 without clear explanation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for School Of Applied Arts:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating strong commitment to mission over executive pay.
- Growth in assets from $41,882 in 2020 to $95,358 in 2021, despite financial challenges.
- Long filing history (11 filings) suggests consistent operation and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about School Of Applied Arts
Is School Of Applied Arts a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, School Of Applied Arts (EIN: 204025519) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does School Of Applied Arts spend its money?
School Of Applied Arts directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to School Of Applied Arts tax-deductible?
School Of Applied Arts is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204025519). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is School Of Applied Arts financially sustainable given its recent operating deficits?
The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $204,611 expenses vs. $141,490 revenue in 2021), leading to operating deficits. This trend, coupled with liabilities exceeding assets ($157,101 liabilities vs. $95,358 assets in 2021), raises concerns about long-term financial sustainability.
What is the reason for the significant increase in liabilities in 2021?
Liabilities jumped from $41,882 in 2020 to $157,101 in 2021. Without further detail from the 990 forms, the specific reasons for this substantial increase are unclear, but it warrants further investigation as it significantly impacts the organization's financial health.
How does the organization manage to operate with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of dedication to the mission and efficient use of funds.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for School Of Applied Arts showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2021), School Of Applied Arts's revenue has grown by 87%, moving from $76K to $141K. Total assets decreased by 33.3% over the same period, from $143K to $95K. Total functional expenses rose by 181.5%, from $73K to $205K. In its most recent filing year (2021), School Of Applied Arts reported a deficit of $63K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $157K in liabilities against $95K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 164.7%), resulting in net assets of $-61,743.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $141K | $205K | $95K | $157K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $96K | $133K | $42K | $42K | — | — |
| 2019 | $108K | $82K | $29K | $29K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $56K | $57K | $12K | $12K | — | — |
| 2017 | $66K | $49K | $13K | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $89K | $100K | $15K | $13K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $140K | $139K | $39K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $231K | $224K | $74K | $932 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $181K | $168K | $67K | $932 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $227K | $187K | $149K | $932 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $76K | $73K | $143K | $143K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2021: Revenue of $141K, expenses of $205K, and assets of $95K (revenue +48.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $96K, expenses of $133K, and assets of $42K (revenue -11.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $108K, expenses of $82K, and assets of $29K (revenue +91.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $56K, expenses of $57K, and assets of $12K (revenue -14.3% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $66K, expenses of $49K, and assets of $13K (revenue -25.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $89K, expenses of $100K, and assets of $15K (revenue -36.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $140K, expenses of $139K, and assets of $39K (revenue -39.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $231K, expenses of $224K, and assets of $74K (revenue +27.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $181K, expenses of $168K, and assets of $67K (revenue -20.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $227K, expenses of $187K, and assets of $149K (revenue +200.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $76K, expenses of $73K, and assets of $143K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for School Of Applied Arts:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for School Of Applied Arts 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.