The Boston Society Inc

The Boston Society Inc. maintains operations with fluctuating revenues and no reported officer compensation.

EIN: 201661990 · Lexington, MA · NTEE: B60 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$488KRevenue
$354KGross Revenue
$280KAssets
75/100Mission Score (Good)
B60
The Boston Society Inc Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$488K
Total Expenses$278K
Program Spending80%
Net Assets$232K
Transparency Score75/100

Is The Boston Society Inc Legit?

Some Concerns

GoodFiling Consistency
ExcellentSpending Efficiency
GoodTransparency
2 FoundRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

The Boston Society Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About The Boston Society Inc

The Boston Society Inc (EIN: 201661990) is a nonprofit organization based in Lexington, MA, classified under NTEE code B60. The organization reported total revenue of $488K and total assets of $280K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Boston Society Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

21Years Operating
SmallSize Classification
13Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

The Boston Society Inc is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.6%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$295K
Total Expenses$278K
Surplus / Deficit+$18K
Total Assets$233K
Total Liabilities$970
Net Assets$232K
Operating Margin6.0%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio0.4%
Months of Reserves10.1 months

Financial Health Grade: A

In 2023, The Boston Society Inc reported a surplus of $18K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 10.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.4% (very low leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), The Boston Society Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.6%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023+17.0%-3.5%+8.3%
2022+55.7%+37.7%-14.9%
2021-24.2%-17.8%-16.0%
2020-56.0%-44.8%-20.4%
2019+19.8%+18.1%+13.9%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes2000
IRS Ruling Date2005

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

The Boston Society Inc. demonstrates a consistent operational history with fluctuating but generally stable financial activity over the past decade. While the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, such as in 2022 where expenses ($287,841) exceeded revenue ($252,403), it has also shown periods of surplus, like in 2023 with revenue of $295,315 against expenses of $277,705. The organization's assets have seen some decline from a high of $377,397 in 2019 to $232,797 in 2023, indicating a reduction in its financial reserves. However, liabilities have remained very low in recent years, suggesting good management of debt. Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator for donor confidence, suggesting that a significant portion of funds is not being diverted to executive salaries. The organization's NTEE code B60 (Historical Societies and Related Activities) suggests a focus on cultural preservation, and the financial data indicates a consistent level of activity to support this mission. Transparency appears to be strong given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, which provides public access to their financial information. The absence of officer compensation is a notable point for transparency and efficiency. While the asset base has decreased, the organization has managed to maintain operations and keep liabilities minimal, which are positive signs for its ongoing viability.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Boston Society Inc with a Mission Score of 75 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: 15%
  • programs: 80%
  • fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, The Boston Society Inc 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:

$295KTotal Revenue
$278KTotal Expenses
$233KTotal Assets
$970Total Liabilities
$232KNet Assets
  • The organization reported a surplus of $18K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
  • Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.4%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and operational history and suggests a volunteer-led leadership structure.

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 Boston Society Inc's IRS 990 filings:

  • Declining asset base from $377,397 in 2019 to $232,797 in 2023, potentially reducing long-term financial stability.
  • Periods of deficit spending, such as in 2022 where expenses ($287,841) exceeded revenue ($252,403), which could erode reserves if persistent.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for The Boston Society Inc:

  • Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating strong transparency.
  • Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a high degree of volunteerism and efficient use of funds.
  • Very low liabilities in recent years (e.g., $970 in 2023), suggesting excellent debt management.
  • Consistent operational activity over a long period, indicating a stable presence in its mission area.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Boston Society Inc

Is The Boston Society Inc a legitimate charity?

The Boston Society Inc (EIN: 201661990) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Massachusetts. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $488K. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.

How does The Boston Society Inc spend its money?

The Boston Society Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.

Are donations to The Boston Society Inc tax-deductible?

The Boston Society Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201661990). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

What percentage of The Boston Society Inc's spending goes to programs?

The Boston Society Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.

How does The Boston Society Inc compare to similar nonprofits?

With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), The Boston Society Inc is above average for NTEE category B60 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.

Where is The Boston Society Inc located?

The Boston Society Inc is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 201661990. It is classified under NTEE code B60.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Boston Society Inc have?

The Boston Society Inc 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 $488K in total revenue.

Is The Boston Society Inc. a good charity?

Based on the available data, The Boston Society Inc. appears to be a reasonably good charity, particularly due to its consistent operations, low liabilities, and the notable absence of officer compensation, suggesting a strong volunteer commitment and efficient use of funds for its mission.

What is the trend in The Boston Society Inc.'s financial health?

The organization's financial health shows fluctuations. While revenue has varied, assets have generally declined from a peak of $377,397 in 2019 to $232,797 in 2023. However, liabilities have remained very low, indicating prudent debt management.

How does The Boston Society Inc. manage its executive compensation?

The Boston Society Inc. reports 0% officer compensation in all available IRS 990 filings, indicating that its leadership is likely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a strong positive for donor funds.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for The Boston Society Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Boston Society Inc's revenue has declined by 43%, moving from $518K to $295K. Total assets decreased by 22.4% over the same period, from $300K to $233K. Total functional expenses fell by 38.4%, from $451K to $278K. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Boston Society Inc reported a surplus of $18K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $970 in liabilities against $233K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.4%), resulting in net assets of $232K.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $295K $278K $233K $970
2022 $252K $288K $215K $942 View 990
2021 $162K $209K $252K $948 View 990
2020 $214K $254K $300K $4K View 990
2019 $486K $461K $377K $40K View 990
2018 $406K $390K $331K $24K View 990
2017 $341K $369K $324K $26K View 990
2016 $341K $368K $348K $22K View 990
2015 $412K $364K $362K $9K View 990
2014 $370K $297K $349K $45K View 990
2013 $365K $273K $265K $35K View 990
2012 $397K $400K $237K $99K View 990
2011 $518K $451K $300K $159K View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

  • 2023: Revenue of $295K, expenses of $278K, and assets of $233K (revenue +17.0% year-over-year).
  • 2022: Revenue of $252K, expenses of $288K, and assets of $215K (revenue +55.7% year-over-year).
  • 2021: Revenue of $162K, expenses of $209K, and assets of $252K (revenue -24.2% year-over-year).
  • 2020: Revenue of $214K, expenses of $254K, and assets of $300K (revenue -56.0% year-over-year).
  • 2019: Revenue of $486K, expenses of $461K, and assets of $377K (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
  • 2018: Revenue of $406K, expenses of $390K, and assets of $331K (revenue +19.0% year-over-year).
  • 2017: Revenue of $341K, expenses of $369K, and assets of $324K (revenue +-0.0% year-over-year).
  • 2016: Revenue of $341K, expenses of $368K, and assets of $348K (revenue -17.3% year-over-year).
  • 2015: Revenue of $412K, expenses of $364K, and assets of $362K (revenue +11.3% year-over-year).
  • 2014: Revenue of $370K, expenses of $297K, and assets of $349K (revenue +1.5% year-over-year).
  • 2013: Revenue of $365K, expenses of $273K, and assets of $265K (revenue -8.1% year-over-year).
  • 2012: Revenue of $397K, expenses of $400K, and assets of $237K (revenue -23.4% year-over-year).
  • 2011: Revenue of $518K, expenses of $451K, and assets of $300K.

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Boston Society Inc:

2023 Filing 2022 Filing 2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2019 Filing 2018 Filing 2017 Filing 2016 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing 2012 Filing 2011 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for The Boston Society Inc 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.

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