Spero Academy
Spero Academy shows strong revenue growth and operational surpluses, but carries significant liabilities.
EIN: 200309518 · Minneapolis, MN · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $18.9M |
| Total Expenses | $15.8M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $-1,949,113 |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Spero Academy Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Spero Academy directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Spero Academy
Spero Academy (EIN: 200309518) is a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, MN. The organization reported total revenue of $18.9M and total assets of $4.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Spero Academy's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Spero Academy is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 16.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $16.0M |
| Total Expenses | $15.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$210K |
| Total Assets | $4.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $6.8M |
| Net Assets | $-1,949,113 |
| Operating Margin | 1.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 140.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 3.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Spero Academy reported a surplus of $210K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 3.7 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 140.5% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Spero Academy's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +60.8% | +60.0% | +4.6% |
| 2022 | +15.5% | +17.2% | -5.4% |
| 2021 | +0.3% | -0.5% | -4.9% |
| 2020 | +10.2% | +15.2% | -11.5% |
| 2019 | +49.7% | +19.5% | +9.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
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 Spero 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: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Spero Academy allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% 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 $210K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 140.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Spero Academy consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is a strong positive for directing funds to its mission.
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 Spero Academy's IRS 990 filings:
- Liabilities consistently exceed assets, indicating a potentially high debt burden or significant deferred revenue that needs further investigation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Spero Academy:
- Consistent operational surpluses in recent years (e.g., $210,456 in 2023, $76,827 in 2022) demonstrate sound financial management.
- Significant and sustained revenue growth, nearly doubling from $8.6 million in 2020 to $16 million in 2023, indicates expanding impact and support.
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards program services.
- Strong program spending focus, inferred from consistent surpluses and lack of executive compensation, maximizing mission impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spero Academy
Is Spero Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Spero Academy (EIN: 200309518) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Spero Academy spend its money?
Spero Academy directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Spero Academy tax-deductible?
Spero Academy is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200309518). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Spero Academy's spending goes to programs?
Spero Academy directs 90% to programs, 3% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Spero Academy located?
Spero Academy is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and files with the IRS under EIN 200309518.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Spero Academy have?
Spero 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 $18.9M in total revenue.
Is Spero Academy financially stable despite high liabilities?
While Spero Academy consistently reports liabilities exceeding assets (e.g., $6,760,211 liabilities vs. $4,811,098 assets in 2023), its consistent operational surpluses (e.g., $210,456 in 2023) suggest it can meet its obligations. A deeper dive into the nature of these liabilities (e.g., long-term debt, deferred revenue) would provide more clarity.
How has Spero Academy's revenue grown over time?
Spero Academy has experienced substantial revenue growth, increasing from $3,180,192 in 2014 to $16,018,761 in 2023, demonstrating significant expansion of its operations and funding.
What is the trend in Spero Academy's assets?
Assets have grown significantly from $669,346 in 2014 to $4,811,098 in 2023, indicating an increase in the organization's resource base, although they remain lower than liabilities.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Spero Academy showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Spero Academy's revenue has grown by 505.3%, moving from $2.6M to $16.0M. Total assets increased by 503.7% over the same period, from $797K to $4.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 505.1%, from $2.6M to $15.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Spero Academy reported a surplus of $210K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $6.8M in liabilities against $4.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 140.5%), resulting in net assets of $-1,949,113.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $16.0M | $15.8M | $4.8M | $6.8M | — | — |
| 2022 | $10.0M | $9.9M | $4.6M | $6.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $8.6M | $8.4M | $4.9M | $6.9M | — | — |
| 2020 | $8.6M | $8.5M | $5.1M | $6.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $7.8M | $7.4M | $5.8M | $6.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.2M | $6.2M | $5.3M | $7.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.5M | $5.0M | $1.2M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.0M | $3.8M | $953K | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.6M | $3.4M | $877K | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.2M | $3.0M | $669K | $162K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.2M | $3.1M | $551K | $175K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.8M | $2.8M | $606K | $332K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.6M | $2.6M | $797K | $541K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $16.0M, expenses of $15.8M, and assets of $4.8M (revenue +60.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.0M, expenses of $9.9M, and assets of $4.6M (revenue +15.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $8.6M, expenses of $8.4M, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +0.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.6M, expenses of $8.5M, and assets of $5.1M (revenue +10.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $7.8M, expenses of $7.4M, and assets of $5.8M (revenue +49.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $6.2M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue +15.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +13.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $953K (revenue +11.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $877K (revenue +12.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $669K (revenue -0.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $551K (revenue +13.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $606K (revenue +6.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $797K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Spero Academy:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Spero 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.