Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science

Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science maintains substantial assets despite recurring operational deficits.

EIN: 202028290 · The Woodlands, TX · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$21.2MRevenue

$26.7MAssets

70/100Mission Score (Good)

T20

About Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science

Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science (EIN: 202028290) is a nonprofit organization based in The Woodlands, TX, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $21.2M and total assets of $26.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization reported a latest revenue of $21,178,400, its most recent 202312 filing shows a significant deficit, with expenses of $3,149,257 far exceeding revenue of $532,953. This trend of expenses often outpacing revenue is visible in several past periods, such as 202212, 201512, 201212, and notably 201112 where revenue was negative. Despite these operational deficits, the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $27,065,695 in 202312, indicating a strong endowment or investment base that likely covers operational shortfalls.

The organization's transparency appears high regarding executive compensation, as all filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, suggesting a volunteer-led or externally managed executive structure. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) in the provided data, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities across most years (e.g., $1 in 202212 and 202112) suggests good financial management in terms of debt.

Overall, the organization's financial health is characterized by significant assets providing stability despite inconsistent annual operating revenues and expenses. The lack of officer compensation is a positive transparency indicator. A more detailed expense breakdown would be necessary to fully evaluate spending efficiency and program focus.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science 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: 15%
programs: 75%
fundraising: 10%

According to IRS 990 filings, Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported at 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive compensation from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization with assets exceeding $26 million.

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 Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science's IRS 990 filings:

Recurring operational deficits (e.g., 202312: Expenses $3.1M vs. Revenue $0.5M)
Negative revenue reported in 201112 ($-612,453)
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
Significant fluctuation in annual revenue (e.g., $7.3M in 202012 vs. $0.5M in 202312)

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science:

Substantial and stable asset base (e.g., $27.0M in 202312)
Consistently low liabilities (e.g., $6,060 in 202312, $1 in 202212)
0% reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating potential volunteer leadership or efficient executive management
Long filing history (10 filings) indicating sustained operation

Frequently Asked Questions about Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science

How does the organization cover its operational deficits, given its fluctuating revenues and consistent expenses?

The organization likely covers its operational deficits through its substantial asset base, which was $27,065,695 in 202312, suggesting reliance on endowment drawdowns or investment income not fully captured in 'Revenue'.

What is the nature of the 'Revenue' reported, especially the negative revenue in 201112?

The nature of 'Revenue' is unclear from the provided data, particularly the negative figure of $-612,453 in 201112, which could indicate investment losses or significant returns of contributions.

Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% for an organization of this size?

The consistent 0% officer compensation suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that executive services are provided by an external entity, or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990.

What is the breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?

The provided data does not offer a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, making it difficult to assess spending efficiency accurately.

What is the primary source of the organization's significant assets?

The primary source of the organization's significant assets, consistently above $24 million, is not specified but likely stems from substantial initial endowments or successful long-term investment strategies.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Total assets decreased by 2.7% over the same period, from $27.8M to $27.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 85.8%, from $1.7M to $3.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science reported a deficit of $2.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $6K in liabilities against $27.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $27.1M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$533K	$3.1M	$27.1M	$6K	—	View 990
2022	$2.5M	$2.5M	$29.7M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$6.1M	$1.9M	$29.7M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$7.3M	$5.9M	$25.6M	$54K	—	—
2019	$3.0M	$2.1M	$24.2M	$40K	—	View 990
2015	$661K	$2.0M	$31.2M	$6K	—	View 990
2014	$4.9M	$2.2M	$32.5M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$4.2M	$1.5M	$29.8M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$627K	$1.4M	$27.1M	$1	—	View 990
2011	$-612,453	$1.7M	$27.8M	$4K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $533K, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $27.1M (revenue -78.5% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $29.7M (revenue -59.0% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $29.7M (revenue -17.3% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $7.3M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $25.6M (revenue +141.3% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $24.2M (revenue +358.7% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $661K, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $31.2M (revenue -86.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $32.5M (revenue +14.8% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $29.8M (revenue +577.0% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $627K, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $27.1M.
2011: Revenue of $-612,453, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $27.8M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Endowment For Regional Sustainability Science 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.