Southern Education Foundation Inc
Southern Education Foundation shows fluctuating revenue but consistent asset growth and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 135562388 · Atlanta, GA · NTEE: B010 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Southern Education Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Southern Education Foundation Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Southern Education Foundation Inc
Southern Education Foundation Inc (EIN: 135562388) is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, GA, classified under NTEE code B010. The organization reported total revenue of $28.6M and total assets of $36.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Southern Education Foundation 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 Southern Education 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, Southern Education 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The reported 0% for officer compensation across all available filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size with assets exceeding $30 million. This suggests that either executive compensation is not being reported in the 'Officer Comp' field or that the organization relies heavily on non-compensated leadership, which would be a significant strength in terms of resource allocation.
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 Southern Education Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant year-to-year revenue volatility, making financial planning challenging.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which may indicate incomplete summary data or an unusual compensation structure requiring deeper investigation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Southern Education Foundation Inc:
- Consistent growth in assets, from $23.1M in 2014 to $34.0M in 2023, indicating strong financial stewardship.
- Maintained a healthy asset-to-liability ratio, demonstrating financial stability.
- Periods of significant revenue surplus, such as in 2022 ($8.8M revenue vs. $4.2M expenses), allowing for reinvestment or reserve building.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Education Foundation Inc
Is Southern Education Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southern Education Foundation Inc (EIN: 135562388) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Southern Education Foundation Inc spend its money?
Southern Education Foundation Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Southern Education Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Southern Education Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135562388). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Southern Education Foundation Inc. manage its significant year-to-year revenue fluctuations?
The organization's ability to maintain and grow its asset base despite volatile revenue suggests strategic financial planning and potentially reliance on endowment income or reserves to smooth operations during leaner years.
What is the actual executive compensation structure, given the 0% reported in the summary data?
Further review of the full IRS Form 990, specifically Schedule J (Compensation Information), would be necessary to understand how executive compensation is structured and reported, as 0% in the summary field is atypical for an organization of this scale.
What is the primary driver of the organization's expenses, particularly in years with significant deficits like 2019?
Analyzing the detailed expense breakdown in the full 990 forms for periods like 2019 (expenses $4,393,255 vs. revenue $1,354,220) would clarify whether these deficits were due to increased program spending, administrative costs, or other factors.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Southern Education Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Southern Education Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 152.9%, moving from $2.6M to $6.5M. Total assets increased by 38.7% over the same period, from $24.5M to $34.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 173.3%, from $2.4M to $6.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Southern Education Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $77K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.3M in liabilities against $34.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 3.9%), resulting in net assets of $32.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.5M | $6.5M | $34.0M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $8.9M | $4.3M | $30.4M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $5.0M | $2.7M | $32.7M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.9M | $3.3M | $27.8M | $1.3M | — | — |
| 2019 | $1.4M | $4.4M | $26.5M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $2.6M | $4.3M | $26.0M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.1M | $4.3M | $30.2M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.2M | $2.8M | $25.9M | $47K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $7.4M | $3.1M | $26.4M | $146K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.0M | $3.2M | $23.1M | $60K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.5M | $2.8M | $23.9M | $52K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.7M | $2.5M | $24.4M | $60K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.9M | $2.7M | $24.1M | $87K | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $2.6M | $2.4M | $24.5M | $74K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $6.5M, and assets of $34.0M (revenue -27.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $8.9M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $30.4M (revenue +77.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $32.7M (revenue +157.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $27.8M (revenue +43.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $26.5M (revenue -47.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $26.0M (revenue -49.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $30.2M (revenue +20.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $25.9M (revenue -42.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $7.4M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $26.4M (revenue +143.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $23.1M (revenue +101.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $23.9M (revenue -13.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $24.4M (revenue -39.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $24.1M (revenue +11.8% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $24.5M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Southern Education 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.