Strive Preparatory Schools
Strive Preparatory Schools consistently operates at a deficit with growing assets and liabilities.
EIN: 202562193 · Denver, CO · NTEE: B29 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Strive Preparatory Schools Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Strive Preparatory Schools directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Strive Preparatory Schools
Strive Preparatory Schools (EIN: 202562193) is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, CO, classified under NTEE code B29. The organization reported total revenue of $92.7M and total assets of $37.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Strive Preparatory Schools's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Strive Preparatory Schools is a major 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 16.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $58.2M |
| Total Expenses | $60.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,026,865 |
| Total Assets | $31.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $38.9M |
| Net Assets | $-7,318,789 |
| Operating Margin | -3.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 123.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 6.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Strive Preparatory Schools reported a deficit of $2.0M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 6.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 123.2% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Strive Preparatory Schools's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +9.4% | +9.2% | +105.0% |
| 2022 | -2.8% | +20.0% | -5.8% |
| 2021 | +13.4% | -3.3% | +25.0% |
| 2020 | +6.1% | +4.8% | +89.9% |
| 2019 | +7.0% | -7.3% | +1.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Strive Preparatory Schools with a Mission Score of 70 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Strive Preparatory Schools 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 deficit of $2.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 123.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size, with revenues exceeding $50 million in recent years, and suggests that executive compensation may be reported elsewhere or handled through a related entity.
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 Strive Preparatory Schools's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in 7 of 10 periods)
- Liabilities exceeding assets in multiple recent periods (e.g., $38.9M liabilities vs $31.6M assets in 2023)
- Unusually reported 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Strive Preparatory Schools:
- Significant growth in revenue and assets, indicating expansion of services
- Consistent filing history demonstrating transparency over time
- Mission-aligned NTEE code (B29 - Elementary & Secondary Education)
Frequently Asked Questions about Strive Preparatory Schools
Is Strive Preparatory Schools a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Strive Preparatory Schools (EIN: 202562193) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Strive Preparatory Schools spend its money?
Strive Preparatory Schools directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Strive Preparatory Schools tax-deductible?
Strive Preparatory Schools is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202562193). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Strive Preparatory Schools cover its consistent operational deficits?
The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years (e.g., $60.2M expenses vs $58.2M revenue in 2023), suggesting it relies on prior year surpluses, grants, or other non-operating income not fully detailed in the top-line revenue figures to cover these gaps.
Why are liabilities consistently higher than assets in recent years?
In 2023, liabilities were $38,930,442 while assets were $31,611,653. This indicates a potentially high level of debt or other obligations relative to its owned resources, which could impact long-term financial stability.
Is the 0% officer compensation accurate for an organization of this scale?
While reported as 0% across all filings, it is highly uncommon for an organization with revenues exceeding $50 million to have no compensated officers. This warrants further investigation into how executive leadership is compensated, possibly through a related management entity or other arrangements not directly reflected in this line item.
What is the nature of the significant asset growth from $7.3M in 2014 to $31.6M in 2023?
The substantial increase in assets suggests significant investment in property, plant, and equipment, or other long-term holdings, which aligns with an expanding educational institution.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Strive Preparatory Schools showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Strive Preparatory Schools's revenue has grown by 545%, moving from $9.0M to $58.2M. Total assets increased by 587.9% over the same period, from $4.6M to $31.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 557.3%, from $9.2M to $60.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Strive Preparatory Schools reported a deficit of $2.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $38.9M in liabilities against $31.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 123.2%), resulting in net assets of $-7,318,789.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $58.2M | $60.2M | $31.6M | $38.9M | — | — |
| 2022 | $53.2M | $55.2M | $15.4M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $54.7M | $46.0M | $16.4M | $17.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $48.3M | $47.5M | $13.1M | $24.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $45.5M | $45.4M | $6.9M | $26.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $42.5M | $49.0M | $6.8M | $35.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $40.3M | $46.6M | $8.4M | $38.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $34.7M | $38.6M | $7.0M | $24.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $30.9M | $32.0M | $5.3M | $16.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $25.1M | $23.0M | $7.4M | $2.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $18.3M | $17.6M | $5.6M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $12.2M | $12.2M | $4.8M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $9.0M | $9.2M | $4.6M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $58.2M, expenses of $60.2M, and assets of $31.6M (revenue +9.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $53.2M, expenses of $55.2M, and assets of $15.4M (revenue -2.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $54.7M, expenses of $46.0M, and assets of $16.4M (revenue +13.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $48.3M, expenses of $47.5M, and assets of $13.1M (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $45.5M, expenses of $45.4M, and assets of $6.9M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $42.5M, expenses of $49.0M, and assets of $6.8M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $40.3M, expenses of $46.6M, and assets of $8.4M (revenue +16.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $34.7M, expenses of $38.6M, and assets of $7.0M (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $30.9M, expenses of $32.0M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue +23.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $25.1M, expenses of $23.0M, and assets of $7.4M (revenue +36.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $18.3M, expenses of $17.6M, and assets of $5.6M (revenue +50.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $12.2M, expenses of $12.2M, and assets of $4.8M (revenue +35.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $9.2M, and assets of $4.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Strive Preparatory Schools:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Strive Preparatory Schools 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.