Southpole Foundation Inc

Southpole Foundation reports significant negative revenue and operating deficits in recent years.

EIN: 200471235 · Fort Lee, NJ · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$2.3MRevenue

$9.3MAssets

55/100Mission Score (Fair)

T22

About Southpole Foundation Inc

Southpole Foundation Inc (EIN: 200471235) is a nonprofit organization based in Fort Lee, NJ, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $2.3M and total assets of $9.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Southpole Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Southpole Foundation Inc. exhibits a concerning financial trend with significant negative revenue in its latest filing period ($-190,135 in 202312) against expenses of $420,563. This indicates a substantial operating deficit. While the organization has reported zero officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive for transparency regarding executive pay, its overall financial health appears volatile. The foundation's assets have fluctuated, peaking at over $10 million in 2021 but declining to $9,292,998 by 2023, suggesting a reliance on asset drawdowns or inconsistent funding.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, but the consistent pattern of expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years (e.g., $308,011 expenses vs. $17,046 revenue in 202212) raises questions about long-term sustainability and program funding. The NTEE code T22 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, which typically involves distributing funds to other organizations. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong point for transparency, but the overall financial picture suggests potential challenges in maintaining operations and fulfilling its mission without more stable revenue streams.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the clear reporting of zero officer compensation. However, the significant negative revenue in the latest period warrants further investigation to understand its source and impact on the foundation's ability to operate effectively. The substantial assets provide a buffer, but the trend of expenses consistently outpacing revenue, particularly in recent years, is a critical area for concern regarding its financial stability and future impact.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Southpole Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). 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, Southpole Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees received compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of this asset size ($9.3 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 Southpole Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Significant negative revenue in the latest filing period ($-190,135 in 202312).
Consistent operating deficits where expenses frequently exceed revenue in recent years.
Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial planning and sustainability challenging.
Unusually low liabilities ($1 across multiple years) which might indicate minimal operational debt but also potentially limited financial activity beyond asset management.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Southpole Foundation Inc:

Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating good compliance with reporting requirements.
Reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a volunteer-led executive structure or highly efficient use of funds not allocated to executive pay.
Substantial asset base ($9,292,998 in 2023) provides a significant financial buffer despite recent operating losses.

Frequently Asked Questions about Southpole Foundation Inc

Is Southpole Foundation Inc. financially stable given its recent negative revenue?

The foundation reported negative revenue of $-190,135 in 202312 and $-190,135 in 202212, while expenses were $420,563 and $308,011 respectively. This indicates significant operating deficits, raising concerns about its financial stability despite substantial assets.

How does Southpole Foundation Inc. fund its operations with consistent revenue shortfalls?

With expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent periods (e.g., $420,563 expenses vs. $-190,135 revenue in 202312), the organization appears to be drawing down on its assets, which have decreased from a peak of $10,194,661 in 2021 to $9,292,998 in 2023.

What is the reason for the reported zero officer compensation?

The filings consistently show 0% officer compensation. This could mean that officers are volunteers, compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation, or that the organization has no paid officers, which is unusual for an entity managing over $9 million in assets.

What is the primary source of the organization's revenue fluctuations?

Revenue has been highly volatile, ranging from $-190,135 in 2023 to $6,327,349 in 2021. This extreme variability suggests reliance on unpredictable funding sources, potentially large grants or investment returns, rather than consistent operational income.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Southpole Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Southpole Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 16350.9%, moving from $1K to $-190,135. Total assets increased by 112.5% over the same period, from $4.4M to $9.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 52.1%, from $276K to $421K. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $9.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $9.3M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$-190,135	$421K	$9.3M	$1	—	View 990
2022	$17K	$308K	$9.9M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$6.3M	$249K	$10.2M	$1	—	—
2020	$133K	$243K	$4.1M	$1	—	—
2019	$127K	$222K	$4.2M	$1	—	—
2015	$183K	$301K	$4.2M	$1	—	View 990
2014	$262K	$294K	$4.3M	$1	—	View 990
2013	$290K	$288K	$4.3M	$1	—	View 990
2012	$261K	$299K	$4.3M	$1	—	View 990
2011	$1K	$276K	$4.4M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $-190,135, expenses of $421K, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -1215.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $17K, expenses of $308K, and assets of $9.9M (revenue -99.7% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $249K, and assets of $10.2M (revenue +4665.2% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $133K, expenses of $243K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue +4.7% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $127K, expenses of $222K, and assets of $4.2M (revenue -30.8% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $183K, expenses of $301K, and assets of $4.2M (revenue -30.2% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $262K, expenses of $294K, and assets of $4.3M (revenue -9.6% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $290K, expenses of $288K, and assets of $4.3M (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $261K, expenses of $299K, and assets of $4.3M (revenue +22203.8% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $1K, expenses of $276K, and assets of $4.4M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Southpole 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.