Sage Foundation
Sage Foundation consistently spends more than its revenue, drawing down significant assets.
EIN: 200024833 · Bluffton, SC · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $20K |
| Total Expenses | $46K |
| Program Spending | 60% |
| Net Assets | $635K |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Sage Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sage Foundation directs 60% of its spending to programs. This falls below the 65% benchmark. Donors may want to investigate further.
About Sage Foundation
Sage Foundation (EIN: 200024833) is a nonprofit organization based in Bluffton, SC, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $20K and total assets of $635K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sage Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sage Foundation is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 6 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2019).
Key Financial Metrics (2019)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $20K |
| Total Expenses | $46K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-25,986 |
| Total Assets | $635K |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $635K |
| Operating Margin | -128.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 165.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2019, Sage Foundation reported a deficit of $26K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 165.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +31.0% | -8.7% | -11.0% |
| 2015 | +2.9% | +1.0% | -4.7% |
| 2014 | -21.9% | +11.0% | -4.5% |
| 2013 | +15.6% | -9.3% | -3.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
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 Sage Foundation with a Mission Score of 65 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: 30%
- programs: 60%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Sage Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 30%, programs: 60%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 60% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2019)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $26K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees are receiving salaries from the organization, which is a strong positive for financial efficiency.
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 Sage Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent deficit spending (expenses significantly exceed revenue, e.g., $46,169 expenses vs. $20,183 revenue in 2019).
- Declining asset base over time (from $845,045 in 2011 to $635,367 in 2019).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sage Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
- Substantial asset base ($635,367 in 2019) provides a buffer despite deficit spending.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sage Foundation
Is Sage Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sage Foundation (EIN: 200024833) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Sage Foundation spend its money?
Sage Foundation directs 60% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sage Foundation tax-deductible?
Sage Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200024833). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Sage Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Sage Foundation directs 60% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This falls below the 65% industry benchmark, which may warrant further review by donors.
How does Sage Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Sage Foundation is above average for NTEE category T22 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Sage Foundation located?
Sage Foundation is headquartered in Bluffton, South Carolina and files with the IRS under EIN 200024833. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Sage Foundation have?
Sage Foundation has 6 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 $20K in total revenue.
Is Sage Foundation a good charity?
Sage Foundation exhibits some positive traits, such as zero officer compensation and substantial assets. However, its consistent deficit spending, with expenses like $46,169 in 2019 far exceeding revenue of $20,183, raises questions about long-term sustainability and the source of funding for its operations. A clearer understanding of its program impact and expense allocation would be beneficial.
Why does Sage Foundation consistently spend more than it earns?
The filings indicate that Sage Foundation consistently spends more than its annual revenue, for example, $46,169 in expenses against $20,183 in revenue in 2019. This suggests the organization is likely drawing down its significant asset base to cover operational costs, as evidenced by the decline in assets from $845,045 in 2011 to $635,367 in 2019.
What is the trend in Sage Foundation's assets?
Sage Foundation's assets have shown a consistent downward trend over the reported period, decreasing from $845,045 in 2011 to $635,367 in 2019. This decline aligns with the organization's pattern of spending more than its annual revenue.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sage Foundation showing financial trends over 6 years of public records:
Total assets decreased by 24.8% over the same period, from $845K to $635K. Total functional expenses fell by 15.1%, from $54K to $46K. In its most recent filing year (2019), Sage Foundation reported a deficit of $26K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $635K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $635K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20K | $46K | $635K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $15K | $51K | $714K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $15K | $50K | $749K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $19K | $45K | $784K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $17K | $50K | $810K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $-18,829 | $54K | $845K | $2K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2019: Revenue of $20K, expenses of $46K, and assets of $635K (revenue +31.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $15K, expenses of $51K, and assets of $714K (revenue +2.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $15K, expenses of $50K, and assets of $749K (revenue -21.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $19K, expenses of $45K, and assets of $784K (revenue +15.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $17K, expenses of $50K, and assets of $810K.
- 2011: Revenue of $-18,829, expenses of $54K, and assets of $845K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sage Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sage Foundation 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.