Sustainability Institute Inc
Sustainability Institute Inc faces recurring operating deficits despite maintaining a strong asset base and reporting no officer compensation.
EIN: 20492913 · Burlington, VT · NTEE: A33 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.3M |
| Total Expenses | $287K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Sustainability Institute Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sustainability Institute Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Sustainability Institute Inc
Sustainability Institute Inc (EIN: 20492913) is a nonprofit organization based in Burlington, VT, classified under NTEE code A33. The organization reported total revenue of $1.3M and total assets of $1.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sustainability Institute Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sustainability Institute Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 29 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -6.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $216K |
| Total Expenses | $287K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-70,819 |
| Total Assets | $1.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $29K |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Operating Margin | -32.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 2.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 49.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Sustainability Institute Inc reported a deficit of $71K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 49.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 2.5% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Sustainability Institute Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -52.9% | +3.3% | +1.4% |
| 2022 | +11.2% | -40.7% | +5.3% |
| 2021 | -41.6% | -46.4% | +1.5% |
| 2020 | -28.8% | -27.5% | -0.9% |
| 2019 | +13.2% | +30.3% | -12.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1997 |
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 Sustainability 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, Sustainability 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $71K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 2.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is a strong positive for directing funds to its mission.
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 Sustainability Institute Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in 8 out of 10 reported periods)
- Significant revenue volatility year-over-year
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown in provided data makes full efficiency assessment difficult
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sustainability Institute Inc:
- Consistent maintenance of a strong asset base (over $1 million in all reported periods)
- Zero reported officer compensation, indicating high financial transparency and mission focus
- Low liabilities across most periods, suggesting good debt management
Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainability Institute Inc
Is Sustainability Institute Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sustainability Institute Inc (EIN: 20492913) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Sustainability Institute Inc spend its money?
Sustainability Institute Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sustainability Institute Inc tax-deductible?
Sustainability Institute Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20492913). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Sustainability Institute Inc's spending goes to programs?
Sustainability Institute Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Sustainability Institute Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Sustainability Institute Inc is above average for NTEE category A33 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Sustainability Institute Inc located?
Sustainability Institute Inc is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont and files with the IRS under EIN 20492913. It is classified under NTEE code A33.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Sustainability Institute Inc have?
Sustainability Institute Inc has 13 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 $1.3M in total revenue.
How does Sustainability Institute Inc cover its recurring operating deficits?
The organization has frequently reported expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $286,934 expenses vs. $216,115 revenue in 2023). This suggests it may be drawing from its substantial asset base (e.g., $1,178,829 in 2023) or relying on non-operating income to cover shortfalls.
What is the long-term sustainability outlook given the revenue volatility?
The revenue has fluctuated significantly, from a high of $993,524 in 2019 to a low of $134,523 in 2016. This volatility, coupled with recurring deficits, could pose a challenge to long-term operational sustainability if not managed with robust fundraising or endowment strategies.
Is the lack of officer compensation sustainable for leadership?
Reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size and suggests a volunteer-led model. While commendable for efficiency, it raises questions about the long-term sustainability of leadership and management capacity without paid executive staff.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sustainability Institute Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Sustainability Institute Inc's revenue has declined by 56.7%, moving from $499K to $216K. Total assets decreased by 43.8% over the same period, from $2.1M to $1.2M. Total functional expenses fell by 74%, from $1.1M to $287K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sustainability Institute Inc reported a deficit of $71K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $29K in liabilities against $1.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 2.5%), resulting in net assets of $1.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $216K | $287K | $1.2M | $29K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $459K | $278K | $1.2M | $55K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $413K | $469K | $1.1M | $65K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $707K | $875K | $1.1M | $64K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $994K | $1.2M | $1.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $877K | $927K | $1.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $458K | $534K | $1.3M | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $135K | $176K | $1.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $151K | $242K | $1.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $374K | $363K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $298K | $370K | $1.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $488K | $515K | $1.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $499K | $1.1M | $2.1M | $5K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $216K, expenses of $287K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -52.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $459K, expenses of $278K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $413K, expenses of $469K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -41.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $707K, expenses of $875K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -28.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $994K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +13.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $877K, expenses of $927K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +91.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $458K, expenses of $534K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +240.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $135K, expenses of $176K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -11.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $151K, expenses of $242K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -59.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $374K, expenses of $363K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +25.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $298K, expenses of $370K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -39.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $488K, expenses of $515K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -2.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $499K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $2.1M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sustainability Institute Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sustainability 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.