Sassafras Foundation Inc
Sassafras Foundation maintains stable assets despite recent years of expenses exceeding revenue.
EIN: 203082522 · Branford, CT · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.3M |
| Total Expenses | $805K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $11,307,242 |
| Net Assets | $10.5M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Sassafras Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sassafras Foundation Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Sassafras Foundation Inc
Sassafras Foundation Inc (EIN: 203082522) is a nonprofit organization based in Branford, CT, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $2.3M and total assets of $11.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sassafras Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sassafras Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023).
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $508K |
| Total Expenses | $805K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-297,453 |
| Total Assets | $10.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $10.5M |
| Operating Margin | -58.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 156.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Sassafras Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $297K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 156.1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -16.6% | -5.9% | -2.8% |
| 2022 | -42.3% | +1.8% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | +514.2% | +0.7% | +2.0% |
| 2020 | -92.6% | +11.9% | -5.8% |
| 2019 | +471.3% | +15.6% | +12.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Sassafras Foundation 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Sassafras Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $297K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Sassafras Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no executive salaries are paid, which is highly unusual for an organization of its asset size ($11,307,242 latest assets).
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 Sassafras Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent revenue deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue $507,661 vs. expenses $805,114)
- Significant fluctuations in annual revenue, indicating potential instability in funding sources.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sassafras Foundation Inc:
- Extremely low liabilities across all reported periods ($0-$1)
- Consistent asset base over $10 million, indicating strong financial reserves.
- 0% officer compensation reported, suggesting high efficiency in directing funds to mission.
- Long filing history (10 filings) demonstrates consistent reporting and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sassafras Foundation Inc
Is Sassafras Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Sassafras Foundation Inc (EIN: 203082522) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Connecticut. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $2.3M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Sassafras Foundation Inc spend its money?
Sassafras Foundation Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Sassafras Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Sassafras Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203082522). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Sassafras Foundation Inc CEO make?
Sassafras Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $11,307,242 annually. The organization reported $2.3M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Sassafras Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Sassafras Foundation Inc directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Sassafras Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Sassafras Foundation Inc is above average for NTEE category T20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Sassafras Foundation Inc located?
Sassafras Foundation Inc is headquartered in Branford, Connecticut and files with the IRS under EIN 203082522. It is classified under NTEE code T20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Sassafras Foundation Inc have?
Sassafras Foundation Inc has 10 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 $2.3M in total revenue.
Is Sassafras Foundation Inc. financially sustainable given recent revenue deficits?
While the organization has a strong asset base, the trend of expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 and 2022) suggests a need to either increase revenue or reduce expenses to maintain long-term sustainability without depleting assets.
How does the Sassafras Foundation Inc. manage to operate with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation implies that executive leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation on the 990, which is a notable operational model for an organization of this size.
What is the primary source of the Sassafras Foundation Inc.'s revenue, given its fluctuations?
The revenue has fluctuated significantly, from a negative revenue in 2011 ($-519,579) to a high of $2,304,498 in 2019. This volatility suggests reliance on grants, investments, or specific large donations rather than a consistent stream, which could impact financial planning.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sassafras Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Total assets increased by 4.2% over the same period, from $10.1M to $10.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 62.4%, from $496K to $805K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sassafras Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $297K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $10.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $10.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $508K | $805K | $10.5M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $609K | $855K | $10.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.1M | $840K | $11.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $172K | $835K | $10.8M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.3M | $746K | $11.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $403K | $646K | $10.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $878K | $566K | $10.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $701K | $581K | $10.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $507K | $571K | $10.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $-519,579 | $496K | $10.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $508K, expenses of $805K, and assets of $10.5M (revenue -16.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $609K, expenses of $855K, and assets of $10.8M (revenue -42.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $840K, and assets of $11.0M (revenue +514.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $172K, expenses of $835K, and assets of $10.8M (revenue -92.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $746K, and assets of $11.5M (revenue +471.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $403K, expenses of $646K, and assets of $10.2M (revenue -54.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $878K, expenses of $566K, and assets of $10.4M (revenue +25.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $701K, expenses of $581K, and assets of $10.1M (revenue +38.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $507K, expenses of $571K, and assets of $10.0M.
- 2011: Revenue of $-519,579, expenses of $496K, and assets of $10.1M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sassafras Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sassafras 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.