Operation Spark

Analysis

Operation Spark is a registered charity in United States, based in New Orleans, LA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education, which this site groups under education and training. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending October 2023, Operation Spark reported income of $2.8m and spending of $2.7m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from October 2019 to October 2023, income grew from $2.4m to $2.8m (+17%), an average of +3.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to October 2020, when income rose by 48%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 66,972 United States charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, Operation Spark sits at the 85th percentile: it is larger than about 85% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 88th percentile, and in the 88th percentile within LA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Idaho High School Activities Association Inc ($2.8m), Career Technical Education Foundation Sonoma County ($2.8m) and Nur Islamic School of Louisville Inc ($2.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending October 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 59% and program service revenue 40% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $206k (7.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.5m. At year end it held assets of $2.8m against liabilities of $368k, net assets of $2.5m. It reported 24 employees.