The Academy
The Academy shows consistent revenue growth but carries significant liabilities exceeding assets.
EIN: 134217509 · Fayetteville, AR · NTEE: B25 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is The Academy Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Academy directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Academy
The Academy (EIN: 134217509) is a nonprofit organization based in Fayetteville, AR, classified under NTEE code B25. The organization reported total revenue of $12.2M and total assets of $9.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Academy's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Academy is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 23 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 16.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $11.6M |
| Total Expenses | $11.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$178K |
| Total Assets | $12.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $15.7M |
| Net Assets | $-2,931,224 |
| Operating Margin | 1.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 122.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 13.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, The Academy reported a surplus of $178K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 13.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 122.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2011–2023), The Academy's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +6.7% | +3.7% | +28.1% |
| 2022 | -7.2% | -8.8% | -1.0% |
| 2021 | +9.7% | +7.1% | +14.3% |
| 2020 | +11.0% | +12.1% | -3.2% |
| 2019 | +23.9% | +24.2% | +87.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2003 |
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 The Academy 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, The Academy 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 $178K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 122.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size ($11.6M in revenue) and suggests either that executive compensation is not categorized as 'officer compensation' or that leadership is compensated through other means, which could impact 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 The Academy's IRS 990 filings:
- Liabilities consistently exceed assets (e.g., $15.7M liabilities vs. $12.8M assets in 202306).
- 0% reported officer compensation for an organization with over $11M in revenue, which is highly unusual and warrants further inquiry into executive compensation practices.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Academy:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $2.1M in 201306 to $11.6M in 202306.
- Expenses generally track closely with revenues, indicating sound operational budgeting.
- Long filing history (12 filings) demonstrates consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Academy
Is The Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Academy (EIN: 134217509) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does The Academy spend its money?
The Academy directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Academy tax-deductible?
The Academy is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 134217509). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is The Academy financially stable given its liabilities?
While The Academy has consistent revenue and expense figures, its liabilities have consistently exceeded its assets in recent years (e.g., $15.7M liabilities vs. $12.8M assets in 202306), which could indicate a reliance on debt or other obligations that warrant further investigation into its long-term financial stability.
How does The Academy compensate its leadership if officer compensation is 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a significant data point. It suggests that either the organization's leadership is entirely volunteer-based, or their compensation is reported under different expense categories, which would require a deeper dive into their detailed expense statements for full transparency.
What is the nature of The Academy's significant liabilities?
With liabilities consistently exceeding assets, understanding the composition of these liabilities (e.g., program-related debt, deferred revenue, capital leases) is crucial for assessing the organization's financial health and risk profile.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Academy showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Academy's revenue has grown by 538.1%, moving from $1.8M to $11.6M. Total assets increased by 3834.5% over the same period, from $325K to $12.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 605.4%, from $1.6M to $11.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Academy reported a surplus of $178K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $15.7M in liabilities against $12.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 122.9%), resulting in net assets of $-2,931,224.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $11.6M | $11.4M | $12.8M | $15.7M | — | — |
| 2022 | $10.9M | $11.0M | $10.0M | $13.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $11.7M | $12.1M | $10.1M | $13.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $10.7M | $11.3M | $8.8M | $11.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $9.6M | $10.1M | $9.1M | $11.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $7.8M | $8.1M | $4.9M | $5.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.9M | $5.3M | $4.6M | $4.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $5.7M | $4.6M | $2.6M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.3M | $2.3M | $475K | $136K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.1M | $2.2M | $483K | $160K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.2M | $2.1M | $435K | $36K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.8M | $1.6M | $325K | $43K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $11.6M, expenses of $11.4M, and assets of $12.8M (revenue +6.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.9M, expenses of $11.0M, and assets of $10.0M (revenue -7.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $11.7M, expenses of $12.1M, and assets of $10.1M (revenue +9.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $10.7M, expenses of $11.3M, and assets of $8.8M (revenue +11.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $9.6M, expenses of $10.1M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $7.8M, expenses of $8.1M, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +60.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $4.6M (revenue -15.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +149.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $475K (revenue +8.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $483K (revenue -3.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $435K (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $325K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Academy:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The 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.