Tri County Community Foundation

Tri County Community Foundation experiences consistent operating deficits in recent years, drawing down assets while maintaining zero officer compensation.

EIN: 200072151 · Barnwell, SC · NTEE: T31 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$940KRevenue

$1.9MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

T31

About Tri County Community Foundation

Tri County Community Foundation (EIN: 200072151) is a nonprofit organization based in Barnwell, SC, classified under NTEE code T31. The organization reported total revenue of $940K and total assets of $1.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Tri County Community Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Tri County Community Foundation demonstrates a consistent operational presence, with 12 filings over the past decade. The organization's financial health shows some volatility in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in several periods, notably in 2023 ($345,843 expenses vs. $204,795 revenue) and 2022 ($364,306 expenses vs. $234,948 revenue). This trend suggests reliance on prior year surpluses or asset drawdowns to cover operational costs. While assets have fluctuated, they have generally decreased from a high of $3,681,407 in 2015 to $2,649,236 in 2023, indicating a gradual reduction in financial reserves. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of transparency and a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead related to executive pay.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean approach to leadership costs. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities across all filings is a strong positive, indicating sound financial management and no outstanding debts. The foundation's ability to maintain operations despite periods of negative net income suggests a robust underlying asset base, though the declining trend in assets warrants monitoring.

Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, with 0% reported for officers. The regular filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period also contributes to good transparency. However, without more granular expense data, it's challenging to fully evaluate the efficiency of their program delivery versus administrative or fundraising costs. The overall picture is of a stable, albeit financially challenged in recent years, community foundation with a strong commitment to avoiding executive compensation.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Tri County Community Foundation 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: 75%
fundraising: 10%

According to IRS 990 filings, Tri County Community Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that officers receive no salary from the organization, which is highly commendable for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $2 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 Tri County Community Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $345,843 vs. revenue $204,795)
Declining asset base over the past decade (from $3,681,407 in 2015 to $2,649,236 in 2023)

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Tri County Community Foundation:

Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay.
No reported liabilities across all filings, demonstrating sound financial management and no outstanding debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 filings), indicating consistent transparency and compliance.
Substantial asset base ($2,649,236 in 2023) provides a buffer despite recent operating deficits.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tri County Community Foundation

How does Tri County Community Foundation cover its expenses when revenue is consistently lower?

The foundation appears to be covering its expenses by drawing down its assets, as evidenced by the decline from $3,681,407 in 2015 to $2,649,236 in 2023, alongside periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., $345,843 expenses vs. $204,795 revenue in 2023).

What is the long-term strategy for asset management given the recent decline?

The consistent decline in assets from a peak of $3,681,407 in 2015 to $2,649,236 in 2023, coupled with recent operating deficits, suggests a need for a clear strategy to stabilize or grow the asset base to ensure long-term sustainability.

What are the specific program activities funded by the foundation?

The provided data does not detail specific program activities. Further investigation into their IRS Form 990, Part III (Statement of Program Service Accomplishments), would be necessary to understand their programmatic focus.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Tri County Community Foundation showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:

Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Tri County Community Foundation's revenue has grown by 373.9%, moving from $43K to $205K. Total assets increased by 2201.2% over the same period, from $115K to $2.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 596%, from $50K to $346K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Tri County Community Foundation reported a deficit of $141K, with expenses exceeding revenue.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$205K	$346K	$2.6M	$0	—	View 990
2022	$235K	$364K	$2.7M	$0	—	View 990
2021	$359K	$217K	$3.1M	$0	—	View 990
2020	$308K	$296K	$2.6M	$0	—	View 990
2019	$232K	$490K	$2.7M	$0	—	View 990
2018	$332K	$580K	$3.0M	$0	—	View 990
2016	$295K	$530K	$3.5M	$0	—	View 990
2015	$276K	$232K	$3.7M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$314K	$94K	$3.6M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$352K	$211K	$189K	$0	—	View 990
2012	$559K	$410K	$168K	$0	—	View 990
2011	$43K	$50K	$115K	$0	—	—

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $205K, expenses of $346K, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -12.8% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $235K, expenses of $364K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue -34.6% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $359K, expenses of $217K, and assets of $3.1M (revenue +16.6% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $308K, expenses of $296K, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +32.7% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $232K, expenses of $490K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue -30.1% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $332K, expenses of $580K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $295K, expenses of $530K, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +6.9% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $276K, expenses of $232K, and assets of $3.7M (revenue -12.2% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $314K, expenses of $94K, and assets of $3.6M (revenue -10.7% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $352K, expenses of $211K, and assets of $189K (revenue -37.0% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $559K, expenses of $410K, and assets of $168K (revenue +1194.4% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $43K, expenses of $50K, and assets of $115K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Tri County Community 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.