Teferes Foundation

Teferes Foundation shows stable recent operations but a history of extreme financial fluctuations and unusual liability reporting.

EIN: 205428853 · New York, NY · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$1.7MRevenue

$61.6MAssets

70/100Mission Score (Good)

T20

About Teferes Foundation

Teferes Foundation (EIN: 205428853) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $1.7M and total assets of $61.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Teferes Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Teferes Foundation exhibits a complex financial history. While recent filings (2019-2023) show relatively stable revenues and expenses, there are significant anomalies in earlier periods. For instance, in 2014, the organization reported an extraordinary revenue of $370 million and assets of $372 million, followed by a massive expense of $395 million in 2015, which significantly outstripped its revenue for that year. This suggests a potential pass-through or re-granting model, or a major one-time financial event, which is not immediately clear from the provided data. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple recent years is unusual and warrants further investigation into the balance sheet details.

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The substantial fluctuations in revenue and expenses, particularly the large expense in 2015, make it difficult to establish a consistent trend for financial health. The foundation's assets have remained substantial, hovering around $61 million in recent years, indicating a strong endowment or capital base, despite the operational deficits seen in 2023 ($1.12M revenue vs. $1.42M expenses) and 2019 ($0.77M revenue vs. $0.92M expenses).

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Teferes 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: 10%
programs: 85%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Teferes Foundation 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

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization, which is highly favorable for donor perception.

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 Teferes Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Extreme revenue and expense fluctuations in 2014-2015 without clear explanation.
Consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple recent years is highly unusual.
Operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 and 2019) indicate spending exceeding incoming revenue.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Teferes Foundation:

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive pay.
Substantial asset base, consistently over $61 million in recent years, providing financial stability.
Long filing history (10 filings) indicates consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teferes Foundation

What caused the massive revenue and expense spikes in 2014 and 2015?

The provided data shows a revenue of $370,301,647 in 2014 and expenses of $395,723,924 in 2015. This suggests a significant one-time event, such as a large grant distribution or a pass-through of funds, which is not typical for an organization with its usual revenue levels.

Why are liabilities consistently reported as $1 in recent years?

The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities from 2012 to 2023 (excluding 2011, 2014, 2015) is highly unusual for an organization with assets in the tens of millions. This could indicate an accounting anomaly, a specific type of liability, or a reporting error that warrants further scrutiny of the full financial statements.

How does Teferes Foundation sustain operations with occasional deficits?

In 2023, expenses ($1,423,255) exceeded revenue ($1,120,350), and similar deficits occurred in 2019. The organization's substantial assets, consistently over $61 million in recent years, likely provide the financial stability to cover operational shortfalls when they occur.

Filing History

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

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Teferes Foundation's revenue has declined by 25.8%, moving from $1.5M to $1.1M. Total assets increased by 5117.9% over the same period, from $1.2M to $61.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 34.3%, from $1.1M to $1.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Teferes Foundation reported a deficit of $303K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $61.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $61.6M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$1.1M	$1.4M	$61.6M	$1	—	View 990
2022	$865K	$860K	$61.9M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$1.1M	$628K	$61.9M	$1	—	—
2020	$928K	$878K	$61.5M	$1	—	—
2019	$775K	$921K	$61.4M	$1	—	—
2015	$8.2M	$395.7M	$68.1M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$370.3M	$1.9M	$372.3M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$834K	$829K	$3.3M	$1	—	View 990
2012	$3.0M	$856K	$3.3M	$1	—	View 990
2011	$1.5M	$1.1M	$1.2M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $61.6M (revenue +29.6% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $865K, expenses of $860K, and assets of $61.9M (revenue -19.1% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $628K, and assets of $61.9M (revenue +15.1% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $928K, expenses of $878K, and assets of $61.5M (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $775K, expenses of $921K, and assets of $61.4M (revenue -90.6% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $8.2M, expenses of $395.7M, and assets of $68.1M (revenue -97.8% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $370.3M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $372.3M (revenue +44301.2% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $834K, expenses of $829K, and assets of $3.3M (revenue -71.8% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $856K, and assets of $3.3M (revenue +95.9% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $1.2M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Teferes 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.