Set Free Alliance
Set Free Alliance shows consistent revenue growth but frequently operates with expenses exceeding income.
EIN: 200202488 · Greenville, SC · NTEE: Q33 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.3M |
| Total Expenses | $4.1M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $3 |
| Net Assets | $118K |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Set Free Alliance Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Set Free Alliance directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Set Free Alliance
Set Free Alliance (EIN: 200202488) is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville, SC, classified under NTEE code Q33. The organization reported total revenue of $4.3M and total assets of $228K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Set Free Alliance's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Set Free Alliance is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 16.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.9M |
| Total Expenses | $4.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-200,820 |
| Total Assets | $144K |
| Total Liabilities | $26K |
| Net Assets | $118K |
| Operating Margin | -5.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 18.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Set Free Alliance reported a deficit of $201K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 0.4 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 18.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Set Free Alliance's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +4.5% | +10.7% | -56.9% |
| 2022 | +5.1% | +5.6% | +6.9% |
| 2021 | +5.5% | +0.0% | +23.5% |
| 2020 | +28.5% | +60.0% | -57.0% |
| 2019 | +58.8% | +20.4% | +250.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| 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 Set Free Alliance 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Set Free Alliance 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 $201K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 18.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Set Free Alliance consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its executive leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with annual revenues exceeding $3 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 Set Free Alliance's IRS 990 filings:
- Frequent operating deficits (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015) where expenses exceed revenue.
- Low and fluctuating asset base relative to annual expenses, indicating limited financial reserves (e.g., $144,093 assets vs. $4,091,313 expenses in 2023).
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization with multi-million dollar revenues, which is highly unusual and may obscure actual leadership compensation structures.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Set Free Alliance:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $992,002 in 2014 to $3,890,493 in 2023.
- Strong indication of program focus given the assumption of high program spending and 0% officer compensation.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Set Free Alliance
Is Set Free Alliance a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Set Free Alliance (EIN: 200202488) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Set Free Alliance spend its money?
Set Free Alliance directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Set Free Alliance tax-deductible?
Set Free Alliance is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200202488). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Set Free Alliance CEO make?
Set Free Alliance's highest-compensated officer earns $3 annually. The organization reported $4.3M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Set Free Alliance's spending goes to programs?
Set Free Alliance directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Set Free Alliance compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Set Free Alliance is above average for NTEE category Q33 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Set Free Alliance located?
Set Free Alliance is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina and files with the IRS under EIN 200202488. It is classified under NTEE code Q33.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Set Free Alliance have?
Set Free Alliance has 13 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 $4.3M in total revenue.
How does Set Free Alliance manage its recurring deficits?
The organization has frequently reported expenses exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 ($4,091,313 expenses vs. $3,890,493 revenue). This suggests they may be drawing down reserves, relying on future contributions, or experiencing timing differences in revenue recognition. A deeper dive into their balance sheet and cash flow statements would be needed to understand their strategy for covering these shortfalls.
What is the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
While the summary data indicates overall expenses, the precise percentages for program, administrative, and fundraising spending are not provided. This information is crucial for a complete assessment of spending efficiency and would require reviewing the detailed expense schedules within their full IRS Form 990 filings.
How does Set Free Alliance sustain operations with 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization with multi-million dollar revenues. This could mean that key leadership roles are filled by volunteers, or compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported as 'officer compensation' on the 990, such as through a related management entity or as general staff salaries. This practice warrants further investigation for clarity on leadership compensation and sustainability.
Why have assets fluctuated significantly, reaching a low of $144,093 in 2023?
Assets have shown considerable fluctuation, from $588,950 in 2019 to $144,093 in 2023. This volatility, especially the recent low, could be due to asset utilization for program activities, investment in new initiatives, or a consequence of operating deficits. A low asset base relative to annual expenses ($4,091,313 in 2023) suggests limited financial reserves.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Set Free Alliance showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Set Free Alliance's revenue has grown by 554.1%, moving from $595K to $3.9M. Total assets increased by 38.5% over the same period, from $104K to $144K. Total functional expenses rose by 695.1%, from $515K to $4.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Set Free Alliance reported a deficit of $201K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $26K in liabilities against $144K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 18.3%), resulting in net assets of $118K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.9M | $4.1M | $144K | $26K | — | — |
| 2022 | $3.7M | $3.7M | $334K | $15K | — | — |
| 2021 | $3.5M | $3.5M | $313K | $21K | — | — |
| 2020 | $3.4M | $3.5M | $253K | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $2.6M | $2.2M | $589K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.6M | $1.8M | $168K | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.7M | $1.5M | $338K | $2K | — | — |
| 2016 | $1.3M | $1.4M | $121K | $903 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.1M | $1.3M | $143K | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $992K | $919K | $326K | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.1M | $1.0M | $249K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $830K | $765K | $168K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $595K | $515K | $104K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $144K (revenue +4.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $334K (revenue +5.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $313K (revenue +5.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $253K (revenue +28.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $589K (revenue +58.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $168K (revenue -2.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $338K (revenue +26.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $121K (revenue +20.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $143K (revenue +11.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $992K, expenses of $919K, and assets of $326K (revenue -12.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $249K (revenue +36.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $830K, expenses of $765K, and assets of $168K (revenue +39.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $595K, expenses of $515K, and assets of $104K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Set Free Alliance:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Set Free Alliance 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.