Studio School
Studio School consistently operates with deficits and negative net assets, raising long-term financial sustainability concerns.
EIN: 132684082 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.8M |
| Total Expenses | $4.3M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $-2,199,966 |
| Transparency Score | 55/100 |
Is Studio School Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Studio School directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Studio School
Studio School (EIN: 132684082) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $4.8M and total assets of $9.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Studio School's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Studio School is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 55 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 4.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4.0M |
| Total Expenses | $4.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-251,321 |
| Total Assets | $8.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $11.0M |
| Net Assets | $-2,199,966 |
| Operating Margin | -6.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 124.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 24.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2024, Studio School reported a deficit of $251K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 24.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 124.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2011–2024), Studio School's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +4.7% | +2.9% | -0.7% |
| 2023 | -6.2% | +5.6% | -4.9% |
| 2022 | +10.8% | +6.9% | +0.8% |
| 2021 | -2.2% | +4.7% | -3.4% |
| 2020 | -1.5% | -1.3% | +3.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1971 |
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 Studio School with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Studio School allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $251K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 124.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
No officer compensation is reported across all available filings, suggesting either a volunteer leadership model or that executive compensation is categorized differently, which enhances transparency regarding direct officer pay.
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 Studio School's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in multiple years, including 202407 and 202307.
- Persistent negative net asset position, with liabilities consistently exceeding assets (e.g., $11,018,607 liabilities vs. $8,818,641 assets in 202407).
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, limiting full assessment of spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Studio School:
- Consistent revenue generation, generally above $3.5 million annually.
- No reported officer compensation, indicating high transparency in this specific area or a volunteer leadership model.
Frequently Asked Questions about Studio School
Is Studio School a legitimate charity?
Studio School (EIN: 132684082) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 55/100. It has 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $4.8M. 3 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Studio School spend its money?
Studio School directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Studio School tax-deductible?
Studio School is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 132684082). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Studio School's spending goes to programs?
Studio School directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Studio School located?
Studio School is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 132684082.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Studio School have?
Studio School has 14 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 $4.8M in total revenue.
Is Studio School financially sustainable given its consistent operating deficits?
Studio School has frequently reported expenses exceeding revenue, such as in 202407 and 202307, and has consistently maintained a negative net asset position (liabilities exceeding assets). This pattern raises concerns about its long-term financial sustainability without a clear strategy to address these deficits.
Why does Studio School consistently have liabilities exceeding assets?
The organization's liabilities have consistently been higher than its assets, for example, $11,018,607 in liabilities vs. $8,818,641 in assets in 202407. This indicates a negative net asset position, which could stem from accumulated operating deficits, significant debt, or specific accounting practices that warrant further investigation into the balance sheet details.
How does Studio School cover its operating deficits?
With expenses frequently exceeding revenue, Studio School likely covers its operating deficits by drawing down on existing reserves, incurring debt, or relying on non-operating income sources not detailed in the provided summary. This practice is not sustainable long-term without a plan to achieve positive operating margins.
What is the breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided summary data does not offer a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. Without this information, it is challenging to fully assess the organization's spending efficiency and how effectively funds are allocated to its mission.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Studio School showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2024), Studio School's revenue has grown by 73.4%, moving from $2.3M to $4.0M. Total assets decreased by 22.4% over the same period, from $11.4M to $8.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 65.7%, from $2.6M to $4.3M. In its most recent filing year (2024), Studio School reported a deficit of $251K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $11.0M in liabilities against $8.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 124.9%), resulting in net assets of $-2,199,966.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.0M | $4.3M | $8.8M | $11.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $3.8M | $4.1M | $8.9M | $10.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $4.1M | $3.9M | $9.3M | $11.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.7M | $3.7M | $9.3M | $11.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $3.8M | $3.5M | $9.6M | $11.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $3.8M | $3.6M | $9.3M | $11.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.8M | $4.0M | $9.2M | $11.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.0M | $4.5M | $9.6M | $12.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $3.0M | $3.3M | $10.8M | $12.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.7M | $3.2M | $10.5M | $12.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.7M | $3.2M | $10.6M | $11.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.5M | $3.1M | $11.0M | $11.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.8M | $2.9M | $11.3M | $11.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.3M | $2.6M | $11.4M | $11.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $8.8M (revenue +4.7% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $8.9M (revenue -6.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $3.9M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue +10.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -2.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $9.6M (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -20.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.8M, expenses of $4.0M, and assets of $9.2M (revenue +21.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $9.6M (revenue +31.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $10.8M (revenue +13.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $10.5M (revenue +0.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $10.6M (revenue +7.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $11.0M (revenue -11.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $11.3M (revenue +21.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $11.4M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Studio School:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Studio 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.