The Pathfinder School Inc
The Pathfinder School Inc. shows consistent revenue and asset growth with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 208457978 · Traverse City, MI · NTEE: B20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.6M |
| Total Expenses | $2.5M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2 |
| Net Assets | $3.4M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is The Pathfinder School Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Pathfinder School Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Pathfinder School Inc
The Pathfinder School Inc (EIN: 208457978) is a nonprofit organization based in Traverse City, MI, classified under NTEE code B20. The organization reported total revenue of $2.6M and total assets of $3.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Pathfinder School Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Pathfinder School Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-80,115 |
| Total Assets | $3.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $386K |
| Net Assets | $3.4M |
| Operating Margin | -3.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 10.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 18.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2024, The Pathfinder School Inc reported a deficit of $80K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 18.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 10.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2012–2024), The Pathfinder School Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -11.3% | -5.8% | -1.2% |
| 2023 | +3.9% | +16.6% | +1.4% |
| 2022 | +49.0% | +36.1% | +13.0% |
| 2021 | -8.8% | +0.0% | +6.7% |
| 2020 | +41.6% | +16.3% | +5.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Pathfinder School Inc 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, The Pathfinder School 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 (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $80K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 10.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with annual revenues exceeding $2 million. This suggests that executive compensation may be reported under other expense categories or that leadership roles are filled by volunteers, which enhances financial efficiency but requires deeper scrutiny for full 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 Pathfinder School Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low or 0% reported officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive pay if categorized elsewhere.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Pathfinder School Inc:
- Consistent asset growth, increasing from $3,014,990 in 2015 to $3,855,155 currently.
- Generally stable financial operations with revenues consistently covering expenses in most recent years (e.g., 202306 revenue $2,768,099 vs expenses $2,691,316).
- Strong financial reserves with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., 202406 assets $3,803,090 vs liabilities $385,753).
Frequently Asked Questions about The Pathfinder School Inc
Is The Pathfinder School Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Pathfinder School Inc (EIN: 208457978) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does The Pathfinder School Inc spend its money?
The Pathfinder School Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Pathfinder School Inc tax-deductible?
The Pathfinder School Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208457978). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the The Pathfinder School Inc CEO make?
The Pathfinder School Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $2 annually. The organization reported $2.6M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of The Pathfinder School Inc's spending goes to programs?
The Pathfinder School Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Pathfinder School Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), The Pathfinder School Inc is above average for NTEE category B20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is The Pathfinder School Inc located?
The Pathfinder School Inc is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan and files with the IRS under EIN 208457978. It is classified under NTEE code B20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Pathfinder School Inc have?
The Pathfinder School 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 $2.6M in total revenue.
How does The Pathfinder School Inc. manage to report 0% officer compensation given its size and operational scope?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings (e.g., 202406, 202306) suggests that either executive roles are entirely volunteer-based, or compensation for key management personnel is categorized differently within the IRS 990, such as 'salaries and wages' for non-officer employees, which would require reviewing the full 990 form for clarification.
What is the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
While the provided summary data does not offer a detailed breakdown, the overall financial health and consistent operational expenses (e.g., $2,534,568 in 202406) suggest that the majority of spending is directed towards its NTEE code B20 mission (Elementary & Secondary Education). A full IRS 990 would provide the exact percentages.
Has the organization maintained financial stability despite fluctuations in revenue?
Yes, despite some revenue fluctuations (e.g., $5,771,661 in 201706 compared to $1,337,907 in 201806), the organization has consistently maintained positive net assets and has shown steady asset growth from $3,014,990 in 2015 to $3,855,155 currently, indicating strong financial management.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Pathfinder School Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), The Pathfinder School Inc's revenue has grown by 114.2%, moving from $1.1M to $2.5M. Total assets increased by 24.5% over the same period, from $3.1M to $3.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 90.4%, from $1.3M to $2.5M. In its most recent filing year (2024), The Pathfinder School Inc reported a deficit of $80K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $386K in liabilities against $3.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 10.1%), resulting in net assets of $3.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.5M | $2.5M | $3.8M | $386K | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $2.8M | $2.7M | $3.8M | $351K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.7M | $2.3M | $3.8M | $376K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.8M | $1.7M | $3.4M | $297K | — | — |
| 2020 | $2.0M | $1.7M | $3.1M | $178K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.4M | $1.5M | $3.0M | $272K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.3M | $1.4M | $3.0M | $279K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.8M | $1.4M | $3.1M | $244K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.2M | $1.3M | $3.0M | $4.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.1M | $1.3M | $3.0M | $4.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.1M | $1.3M | $3.1M | $4.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.1M | $1.3M | $3.1M | $4.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.1M | $1.3M | $3.1M | $3.9M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue -11.3% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +3.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +49.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $3.4M (revenue -8.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue +41.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +3.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue -76.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue +390.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +4.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue +0.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.1M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Pathfinder School Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Pathfinder School 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.