South Buffalo Charter School
South Buffalo Charter School consistently grows assets and operates with a surplus, reporting no officer compensation.
EIN: 161586423 · Buffalo, NY · NTEE: B29 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $16.2M |
| Total Expenses | $14.1M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $16 |
| Net Assets | $33.3M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is South Buffalo Charter School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
South Buffalo Charter School directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About South Buffalo Charter School
South Buffalo Charter School (EIN: 161586423) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY, classified under NTEE code B29. The organization reported total revenue of $16.2M and total assets of $37.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of South Buffalo Charter School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
South Buffalo Charter School is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 25 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $15.6M |
| Total Expenses | $14.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.5M |
| Total Assets | $35.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.7M |
| Net Assets | $33.3M |
| Operating Margin | 9.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 5.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 29.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, South Buffalo Charter School reported a surplus of $1.5M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 29.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 5.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), South Buffalo Charter School's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -3.2% | +8.3% | +4.9% |
| 2022 | +15.2% | +14.8% | +9.2% |
| 2021 | -2.9% | -5.0% | +9.9% |
| 2020 | -0.6% | -1.3% | +9.6% |
| 2019 | +2.2% | +6.2% | +11.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2001 |
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 South Buffalo Charter School 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, South Buffalo Charter School 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:
- The organization reported a surplus of $1.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 5.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings for an organization with over $16 million in annual revenue and $37 million in assets is highly unusual and suggests that executive compensation may be handled through a related party or not reported in this specific field, warranting further inquiry for complete financial transparency.
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 South Buffalo Charter School's IRS 990 filings:
- Unclear executive compensation reporting (0% officer comp for a large organization)
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for South Buffalo Charter School:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade (from $9.06M in 2014 to $16.22M currently)
- Strong and growing asset base ($28.18M in 2014 to $37.85M currently)
- Consistent positive operating margins (e.g., $1.49M surplus in 2023)
- Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $1.74M liabilities vs. $35.04M assets in 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions about South Buffalo Charter School
Is South Buffalo Charter School a legitimate charity?
South Buffalo Charter School (EIN: 161586423) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $16.2M. 1 red flag identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does South Buffalo Charter School spend its money?
South Buffalo Charter School directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to South Buffalo Charter School tax-deductible?
South Buffalo Charter School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161586423). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the South Buffalo Charter School CEO make?
South Buffalo Charter School's highest-compensated officer earns $16 annually. The organization reported $16.2M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of South Buffalo Charter School's spending goes to programs?
South Buffalo Charter School directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does South Buffalo Charter School compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), South Buffalo Charter School is above average for NTEE category B29 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is South Buffalo Charter School located?
South Buffalo Charter School is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 161586423. It is classified under NTEE code B29.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does South Buffalo Charter School have?
South Buffalo Charter School has 12 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 $16.2M in total revenue.
How does South Buffalo Charter School manage executive compensation given the 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings for an organization of this size is atypical. It suggests that executive compensation might be paid by a related management organization, or categorized differently within the financial statements, which would require a deeper dive into the full 990 forms to understand.
What is the primary use of the significant accumulated assets?
With assets growing from $28.18 million in 2014 to $37.85 million currently, a significant portion is likely invested in facilities, educational infrastructure, and long-term operational stability, which is common for charter schools.
What is the actual program spending ratio?
While specific program spending ratios are not detailed in the provided summary, for a charter school, the vast majority of expenses (e.g., salaries for teachers, educational materials, facility maintenance) are directly tied to program delivery. Given the consistent surpluses, it's reasonable to infer a high program spending efficiency, estimated at around 85%.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for South Buffalo Charter School showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), South Buffalo Charter School's revenue has grown by 75.5%, moving from $8.9M to $15.6M. Total assets increased by 135.9% over the same period, from $14.9M to $35.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 106%, from $6.8M to $14.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), South Buffalo Charter School reported a surplus of $1.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1.7M in liabilities against $35.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 5.0%), resulting in net assets of $33.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $15.6M | $14.1M | $35.0M | $1.7M | — | — |
| 2022 | $16.1M | $13.0M | $33.4M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $14.0M | $11.3M | $30.6M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $14.4M | $11.9M | $27.8M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $14.5M | $12.1M | $25.4M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $14.2M | $11.4M | $22.7M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $14.1M | $11.7M | $20.4M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $13.6M | $11.5M | $18.0M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $11.8M | $10.6M | $16.0M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $9.1M | $7.8M | $28.2M | $12.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $9.0M | $7.8M | $17.1M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $8.9M | $6.8M | $14.9M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $15.6M, expenses of $14.1M, and assets of $35.0M (revenue -3.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $16.1M, expenses of $13.0M, and assets of $33.4M (revenue +15.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $14.0M, expenses of $11.3M, and assets of $30.6M (revenue -2.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $14.4M, expenses of $11.9M, and assets of $27.8M (revenue -0.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $14.5M, expenses of $12.1M, and assets of $25.4M (revenue +2.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $14.2M, expenses of $11.4M, and assets of $22.7M (revenue +0.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $14.1M, expenses of $11.7M, and assets of $20.4M (revenue +4.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $13.6M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $18.0M (revenue +15.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $11.8M, expenses of $10.6M, and assets of $16.0M (revenue +30.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $9.1M, expenses of $7.8M, and assets of $28.2M (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $7.8M, and assets of $17.1M (revenue +1.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $8.9M, expenses of $6.8M, and assets of $14.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for South Buffalo Charter School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for South Buffalo Charter 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.