Stephen L Altshul Foundation

Stephen L Altshul Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down its assets.

EIN: 136159069 · Charlestown, MA · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$289KRevenue

$1.1MAssets

70/100Mission Score (Good)

T20

About Stephen L Altshul Foundation

Stephen L Altshul Foundation (EIN: 136159069) is a nonprofit organization based in Charlestown, MA, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $289K and total assets of $1.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Stephen L Altshul Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Stephen L Altshul Foundation demonstrates consistent financial transparency through its regular IRS 990 filings. The organization's financial health, however, shows a pattern of expenses frequently exceeding revenue in recent years, leading to a gradual decline in assets from $1,729,418 in 2013 to $973,885 in 2024. For example, in 2023, revenue was only $9,704 while expenses were $110,078. This trend suggests the foundation is primarily spending down its endowment rather than generating sufficient new income to cover its operational and programmatic costs. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods indicates a volunteer-driven leadership, which is a positive sign for minimizing administrative overhead.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative expenses within the provided data. However, the consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' is a strong indicator of low executive overhead. The foundation's liabilities have remained minimal, often reported as $1, which suggests sound financial management in terms of debt. The NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) implies its primary activity is grantmaking, and the spending patterns would ideally reflect significant distributions to other charitable causes.

Overall, while the foundation is transparent with its filings and avoids executive compensation, its long-term financial sustainability is a concern given the consistent deficit spending. The significant asset base still allows for continued operations, but the trend of declining assets warrants attention. Further analysis of the specific program expenditures would be necessary to fully evaluate its impact and spending efficiency.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Stephen L Altshul Foundation with a Mission Score of 70 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: 85%
fundraising: 0%

According to IRS 990 filings, Stephen L Altshul Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 0%. With 85% 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 the foundation's leadership operates on a volunteer basis, which is highly commendable for an organization of its size with assets over $1 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 Stephen L Altshul Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent deficit spending, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue (e.g., 2023: Revenue $9,704, Expenses $110,078).
Declining asset base over time, from $1,729,418 in 2013 to $973,885 in 2024, indicating reliance on endowment drawdown.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Stephen L Altshul Foundation:

Zero executive compensation reported across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership and low overhead.
Consistent transparency with regular IRS 990 filings.
Minimal liabilities reported, often $1, suggesting sound debt management.

Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen L Altshul Foundation

Is the Stephen L Altshul Foundation financially sustainable?

Based on the provided data, the foundation has consistently spent more than its revenue in most recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue $9,704 vs. expenses $110,078), leading to a decline in assets from $1,729,418 in 2013 to $973,885 in 2024. This trend suggests it is not financially sustainable without a change in revenue generation or spending patterns, as it is drawing down its endowment.

What is the primary use of the foundation's funds?

As a T20 NTEE code organization (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations), the primary use of funds is expected to be grantmaking to other charitable organizations. Without detailed expense breakdowns, it's assumed the majority of its expenses are programmatic distributions, especially given the lack of officer compensation.

How does the foundation manage its administrative costs?

The foundation appears to manage administrative costs very efficiently, primarily evidenced by the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates a volunteer-driven leadership, significantly reducing overhead.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Stephen L Altshul Foundation showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:

Total assets decreased by 26% over the same period, from $1.3M to $974K. Total functional expenses rose by 29104.9%, from $346 to $101K. In its most recent filing year (2024), Stephen L Altshul Foundation reported a surplus of $41K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $974K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $974K.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2024	$142K	$101K	$974K	$1	—	View 990
2023	$10K	$110K	$934K	$1	—	View 990
2022	$99K	$136K	$1.0M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$24K	$114K	$1.1M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$120K	$121K	$1.2M	$1	—	View 990
2016	$7K	$123K	$1.2M	$1	—	View 990
2015	$62K	$139K	$1.3M	$1	—	View 990
2014	$33K	$326K	$1.4M	$1	—	View 990
2013	$71K	$102K	$1.7M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$233K	$366	$1.6M	$0	—	—
2010	$55K	$717	$1.4M	$0	—	—
2009	$-4,656	$346	$1.3M	$0	—	—

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2024: Revenue of $142K, expenses of $101K, and assets of $974K (revenue +1364.8% year-over-year).
2023: Revenue of $10K, expenses of $110K, and assets of $934K (revenue -90.2% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $99K, expenses of $136K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +308.2% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $24K, expenses of $114K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -79.7% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $120K, expenses of $121K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +1726.2% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $123K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -89.4% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $62K, expenses of $139K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +90.2% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $33K, expenses of $326K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -54.1% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $71K, expenses of $102K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -69.7% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $233K, expenses of $366, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +325.9% year-over-year).
2010: Revenue of $55K, expenses of $717, and assets of $1.4M.
2009: Revenue of $-4,656, expenses of $346, and assets of $1.3M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Stephen L Altshul Foundation 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.