Stern Family Foundation
Stern Family Foundation's assets have declined by over $1.7 million since 2019, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years.
EIN: 133956806 · Kearny, NJ · NTEE: T20Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.1M |
| Total Expenses | $1.0M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $11 |
| Net Assets | $11.2M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Stern Family Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Stern Family Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Stern Family Foundation
Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 133956806) is a nonprofit organization based in Kearny, NJ, classified under NTEE code T20Z. The organization reported total revenue of $3.1M and total assets of $11.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Stern Family Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Stern Family Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 28 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -7.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $406K |
| Total Expenses | $1.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-643,470 |
| Total Assets | $11.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $35K |
| Net Assets | $11.2M |
| Operating Margin | -158.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 127.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Stern Family Foundation reported a deficit of $643K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 127.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 11 years of filings (2010–2023), Stern Family Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -26.2% | +21.9% | -5.3% |
| 2022 | +97.7% | +64.5% | -2.4% |
| 2020 | -108.6% | +10.8% | -4.4% |
| 2019 | -55.9% | -35.6% | +8.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1998 |
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 Stern Family Foundation 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: 8%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 2%
According to IRS 990 filings, Stern Family Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 8%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 2%. With 90% 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 $643K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees are receiving salaries from the foundation, which is highly favorable for a foundation of its size with over $11 million in assets.
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 Stern Family Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent decline in assets over recent years, from $12.9M in 2019 to $11.1M in 2023.
- Expenses frequently exceed revenue, indicating deficit spending (e.g., 2023 expenses $1,049,949 vs. revenue $406,479).
- Negative revenue reported in 2020 ($-59,542), which could indicate significant investment losses.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Stern Family Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
- Substantial asset base of over $11 million, providing long-term stability for its mission.
- Consistent history of grant-making activity, as evidenced by regular expenses over many years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stern Family Foundation
Is Stern Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 133956806) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Stern Family Foundation spend its money?
Stern Family Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Stern Family Foundation tax-deductible?
Stern Family Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133956806). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Stern Family Foundation CEO make?
Stern Family Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $11 annually. The organization reported $3.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Stern Family Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Stern Family Foundation directs 90% to programs, 2% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Stern Family Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Stern Family Foundation is above average for NTEE category T20Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Stern Family Foundation located?
Stern Family Foundation is headquartered in Kearny, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 133956806. It is classified under NTEE code T20Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Stern Family Foundation have?
Stern Family Foundation has 11 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 $3.1M in total revenue.
Why have the Stern Family Foundation's assets been consistently declining since 2019?
The foundation's assets have decreased from $12,914,585 in 2019 to $11,189,368 in 2023. This decline is likely due to expenses frequently exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $1,049,949 against revenue of $406,479, suggesting the foundation is spending down its principal or experiencing investment losses.
What is the Stern Family Foundation's primary source of revenue, given its fluctuating income?
While specific sources aren't detailed in the provided data, the fluctuating revenue, including a negative revenue of $-59,542 in 2020, suggests a reliance on investment income, capital gains/losses, or potentially a limited number of large contributions rather than consistent public support.
How does the Stern Family Foundation sustain its operations with expenses often exceeding revenue?
The foundation sustains its operations by drawing from its substantial asset base. With assets over $11 million, it can cover operational and grant-making expenses even when annual revenue is insufficient, though this leads to a gradual reduction in its overall asset value.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Stern Family Foundation showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Stern Family Foundation's revenue has declined by 61.4%, moving from $1.1M to $406K. Total assets increased by 46.8% over the same period, from $7.6M to $11.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 1820.1%, from $55K to $1.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Stern Family Foundation reported a deficit of $643K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $35K in liabilities against $11.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.3%), resulting in net assets of $11.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $406K | $1.0M | $11.2M | $35K | — | — |
| 2022 | $551K | $862K | $11.8M | $18K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $279K | $524K | $12.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $-59,542 | $510K | $12.3M | $-7,987 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $689K | $460K | $12.9M | $-7,987 | — | — |
| 2015 | $1.6M | $714K | $12.0M | $-7,987 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.5M | $591K | $11.1M | $-7,987 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.4M | $490K | $10.2M | $-7,987 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.2M | $323K | $9.3M | $-2,737 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.3M | $500K | $8.4M | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $1.1M | $55K | $7.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $406K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $11.2M (revenue -26.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $551K, expenses of $862K, and assets of $11.8M (revenue +97.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $279K, expenses of $524K, and assets of $12.1M.
- 2020: Revenue of $-59,542, expenses of $510K, and assets of $12.3M (revenue -108.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $689K, expenses of $460K, and assets of $12.9M (revenue -55.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $714K, and assets of $12.0M (revenue +4.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $591K, and assets of $11.1M (revenue +6.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $490K, and assets of $10.2M (revenue +16.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $323K, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -7.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $500K, and assets of $8.4M (revenue +24.0% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $55K, and assets of $7.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Stern Family Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Stern Family 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.