Svara
Svara shows strong revenue growth and no reported officer compensation, but experienced a significant deficit in 2023.
EIN: 200292435 · Chicago, IL · NTEE: X30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.2M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $181K |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Svara Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Svara directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Svara
Svara (EIN: 200292435) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, classified under NTEE code X30. The organization reported total revenue of $2.5M and total assets of $670K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Svara's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Svara is a mid-size 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 58.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-656,148 |
| Total Assets | $251K |
| Total Liabilities | $70K |
| Net Assets | $181K |
| Operating Margin | -43.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 27.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 1.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Svara reported a deficit of $656K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 1.4 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 27.9% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Svara's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 58.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -32.1% | -2.0% | -73.2% |
| 2022 | +11.3% | +47.4% | +6.6% |
| 2021 | +104.1% | +36.2% | +89.6% |
| 2020 | -33.9% | -14.4% | -8.8% |
| 2019 | +55.9% | +38.5% | +67.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 7200 |
| 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 Svara 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Svara 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 (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $656K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 27.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Svara consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no funds are allocated to executive salaries, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit of its size.
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 Svara's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant deficit in 2023 ($656,148, where expenses exceeded revenue)
- Fluctuation in assets, with a notable decrease from $935,056 in 2022 to $250,750 in 2023
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Svara:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $31,962 in 2014 to $2,534,238 currently
- 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship
- Positive net assets, demonstrating financial stability despite recent fluctuations
- Long filing history (13 filings) indicating consistent compliance and transparency
Frequently Asked Questions about Svara
Is Svara a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Svara (EIN: 200292435) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Svara spend its money?
Svara directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Svara tax-deductible?
Svara is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200292435). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Svara's spending goes to programs?
Svara directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Svara compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Svara is above average for NTEE category X30 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Svara located?
Svara is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and files with the IRS under EIN 200292435. It is classified under NTEE code X30.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Svara have?
Svara 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 $2.5M in total revenue.
Is Svara a good charity?
Based on the available data, Svara appears to be a good charity. It demonstrates strong revenue growth, a commitment to not paying officer compensation, and a generally positive financial trend, though the 2023 deficit warrants further investigation.
What caused the significant deficit in 2023?
In 2023, Svara's expenses ($2,150,811) significantly exceeded its revenue ($1,494,663), resulting in a deficit of $656,148. The specific reasons for this deficit are not detailed in the provided summary data and would require reviewing the full IRS 990 filing for that period.
How has Svara's asset base changed over time?
Svara's assets have grown substantially, from $6,998 in 2014 to $670,296 currently. While there was a dip in assets from $935,056 in 2022 to $250,750 in 2023, the overall trend over the decade is one of significant growth.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Svara showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Svara's revenue has grown by 25130.6%, moving from $6K to $1.5M. Total assets increased by 25074900% over the same period, from $1 to $251K. Total functional expenses rose by 35170.8%, from $6K to $2.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Svara reported a deficit of $656K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $70K in liabilities against $251K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 27.9%), resulting in net assets of $181K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5M | $2.2M | $251K | $70K | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.2M | $2.2M | $935K | $98K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.0M | $1.5M | $877K | $47K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $970K | $1.1M | $463K | $122K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.5M | $1.3M | $507K | $44K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $941K | $922K | $303K | $31K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $775K | $667K | $245K | $22K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $388K | $280K | $131K | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $142K | $142K | $8K | $772 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $32K | $27K | $7K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $7K | $6K | $2K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6K | $6K | $1 | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $251K (revenue -32.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $935K (revenue +11.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $877K (revenue +104.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $970K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $463K (revenue -33.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $507K (revenue +55.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $941K, expenses of $922K, and assets of $303K (revenue +21.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $775K, expenses of $667K, and assets of $245K (revenue +99.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $388K, expenses of $280K, and assets of $131K (revenue +173.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $142K, expenses of $142K, and assets of $8K (revenue +344.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $32K, expenses of $27K, and assets of $7K (revenue +328.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $6K, and assets of $2K.
- 2012: Revenue of $0, expenses of $0, and assets of $0 (revenue -100.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6K, expenses of $6K, and assets of $1.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Svara:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Svara 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.