Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc
Sam Spiegel Foundation experiences volatile revenue and consistent operational deficits in recent years, maintaining strong assets.
EIN: 136163123 · Columbus, GA · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc
Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc (EIN: 136163123) is a nonprofit organization based in Columbus, GA. The organization reported total revenue of $7.5M and total assets of $16.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 66 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -7.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $380K |
| Total Expenses | $1.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-645,022 |
| Total Assets | $14.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $14.6M |
| Operating Margin | -169.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 171.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $645K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 171.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -90.8% | +8.1% | +7.5% |
| 2022 | +114.3% | -41.4% | -26.8% |
| 2021 | +666.5% | +207.9% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | -30.3% | -28.6% | +40.5% |
| 2019 | +33.8% | -24.0% | +13.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1960 |
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 Sam Spiegel Foundation 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $645K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive salaries from the organization, which is highly favorable for minimizing overhead.
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 Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant year-over-year revenue volatility (e.g., $4.1M in 2022 to $0.38M in 2023)
- Consistent operational deficits in multiple years (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2013, 2012) where expenses exceed revenue
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary data, hindering efficiency assessment
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc:
- Strong and stable asset base (consistently above $10M, reaching $16.8M latest), providing financial resilience
- Consistently reported 0% officer compensation, indicating low executive overhead
- Minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings), suggesting a healthy balance sheet and low debt burden
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency and compliance
Frequently Asked Questions about Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc
Is Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc (EIN: 136163123) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc spend its money?
Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136163123). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What is the primary source of the Sam Spiegel Foundation's revenue, given its significant fluctuations?
The provided data shows highly variable revenue, from $139,852 in 2012 to $4,122,442 in 2022. This suggests reliance on grants, investment returns, or large, infrequent donations rather than consistent program service fees or broad public support.
How does the Sam Spiegel Foundation cover its expenses in years where expenses significantly exceed revenue, such as 2023 ($380,475 revenue vs. $1,025,497 expenses)?
The foundation likely draws from its substantial asset base, which stood at $14,622,850 in 2023, to cover operational deficits. This indicates a reliance on accumulated funds or endowment income to sustain operations during periods of lower incoming revenue.
What are the specific program activities funded by the Sam Spiegel Foundation?
The provided IRS 990 summary data does not detail specific program activities. Further examination of the full 990 forms would be necessary to understand the nature of their programmatic spending.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 61.7%, moving from $993K to $380K. Total assets increased by 43.2% over the same period, from $10.2M to $14.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 176.8%, from $370K to $1.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $645K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $14.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $14.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $380K | $1.0M | $14.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $4.1M | $948K | $13.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.9M | $1.6M | $18.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $251K | $526K | $18.5M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $360K | $736K | $13.2M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $269K | $969K | $11.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.2M | $516K | $12.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $530K | $560K | $12.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $140K | $308K | $10.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $993K | $370K | $10.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $380K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $14.6M (revenue -90.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $948K, and assets of $13.6M (revenue +114.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $18.6M (revenue +666.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $251K, expenses of $526K, and assets of $18.5M (revenue -30.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $360K, expenses of $736K, and assets of $13.2M (revenue +33.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $269K, expenses of $969K, and assets of $11.6M (revenue -78.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $516K, and assets of $12.6M (revenue +135.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $530K, expenses of $560K, and assets of $12.2M (revenue +279.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $140K, expenses of $308K, and assets of $10.5M (revenue -85.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $993K, expenses of $370K, and assets of $10.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sam Spiegel Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sam Spiegel Foundation 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.