Social Trends Institute Inc
Social Trends Institute Inc. shows volatile revenue and consistent operating deficits in recent years, despite substantial assets and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 141906515 · New York, NY · NTEE: V03 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Social Trends Institute Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Social Trends Institute Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Social Trends Institute Inc
Social Trends Institute Inc (EIN: 141906515) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code V03. The organization reported total revenue of $5.0M and total assets of $10.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Social Trends Institute Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Social Trends Institute 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Social Trends Institute Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that officers either serve on a volunteer basis or are compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive sign for resource allocation to mission-related activities.
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 Social Trends Institute Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Highly volatile revenue, with significant drops from $5.6M in 2018 to $0.2M in 2020.
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2022 expenses $404,540 vs. revenue $228,775; 2021 expenses $369,502 vs. revenue $363,820; 2020 expenses $320,440 vs. revenue $211,628).
- Reliance on substantial assets to cover operational shortfalls, which may not be sustainable long-term without consistent revenue.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Social Trends Institute Inc:
- Substantial asset base, consistently over $10 million in recent years, providing financial stability.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong transparency and potentially volunteer leadership.
- Low liabilities, with many periods reporting $0 liabilities, suggesting good financial management of debt.
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Trends Institute Inc
Is Social Trends Institute Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Social Trends Institute Inc (EIN: 141906515) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Social Trends Institute Inc spend its money?
Social Trends Institute Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Social Trends Institute Inc tax-deductible?
Social Trends Institute Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 141906515). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Social Trends Institute Inc. sustain its operations with such volatile revenue?
The organization appears to rely on its substantial asset base, which has consistently been over $10 million, to cover operating deficits when revenue is low, as seen in 2022 where expenses ($404,540) exceeded revenue ($228,775).
What is the nature of the '0% Officer Comp' reported across all filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which could indicate a high dedication to minimizing administrative overhead.
Why did revenue drop so sharply from $5.6 million in 2018 to $1 million in 2019?
The filings do not provide specific reasons for this drastic revenue fluctuation. This significant drop from $5,668,187 in 2018 to $1,000,933 in 2019, and further to $211,628 in 2020, suggests a potential reliance on large, infrequent grants or a change in funding strategy.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Social Trends Institute Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2022), Social Trends Institute Inc's revenue has declined by 61.9%, moving from $601K to $229K. Total assets increased by 335.7% over the same period, from $2.4M to $10.7M. Total functional expenses fell by 32.1%, from $595K to $405K. In its most recent filing year (2022), Social Trends Institute Inc reported a deficit of $176K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $229K | $405K | $10.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $364K | $370K | $11.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $212K | $320K | $11.8M | $22K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.0M | $438K | $10.3M | $109K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.7M | $311K | $9.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $471K | $400K | $4.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $412K | $380K | $4.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.5M | $426K | $4.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $150K | $638K | $3.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $932K | $274K | $3.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $307K | $222K | $2.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $718K | $450K | $2.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $601K | $595K | $2.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2022: Revenue of $229K, expenses of $405K, and assets of $10.7M (revenue -37.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $364K, expenses of $370K, and assets of $11.8M (revenue +71.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $212K, expenses of $320K, and assets of $11.8M (revenue -78.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $438K, and assets of $10.3M (revenue -82.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $311K, and assets of $9.5M (revenue +1104.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $471K, expenses of $400K, and assets of $4.4M (revenue +14.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $412K, expenses of $380K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue -72.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $426K, and assets of $4.0M (revenue +898.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $150K, expenses of $638K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue -83.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $932K, expenses of $274K, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +203.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $307K, expenses of $222K, and assets of $2.8M (revenue -57.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $718K, expenses of $450K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue +19.5% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $601K, expenses of $595K, and assets of $2.4M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Social Trends Institute 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.