Tsunami Foundation
Tsunami Foundation maintains large assets despite volatile revenue and consistent expenses, reporting zero officer compensation.
EIN: 137019761 · Wilmington, DE · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Tsunami Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Tsunami Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Tsunami Foundation
Tsunami Foundation (EIN: 137019761) is a nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, DE. The organization reported total revenue of $4.7M and total assets of $26.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Tsunami Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Tsunami Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 32 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.5M |
| Total Expenses | $1.9M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-392,350 |
| Total Assets | $25.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $25.9M |
| Operating Margin | -25.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 161.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Tsunami Foundation reported a deficit of $392K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 161.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Tsunami Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +137.5% | -8.3% | -1.5% |
| 2022 | -82.7% | -6.3% | -5.2% |
| 2021 | +135.5% | +18.1% | +5.7% |
| 2020 | -64.6% | -0.2% | -1.2% |
| 2019 | +417.0% | +-0.0% | +5.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1994 |
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 Tsunami Foundation with a Mission Score of 65 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, Tsunami 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $392K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that executive compensation is categorized under other expense lines, which would warrant further scrutiny.
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 Tsunami Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Highly volatile revenue streams, making operational budgeting unpredictable.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data, hindering efficiency assessment.
- Consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities, which is an unusual financial reporting pattern.
- NTEE code is unknown, preventing clear understanding of mission and sector.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Tsunami Foundation:
- Strong asset base, consistently over $25 million, providing financial stability.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating transparency in this area.
- Ability to maintain consistent expense levels despite revenue volatility, suggesting sound financial planning.
- Significant asset growth from $17.5 million in 2011 to over $26 million in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tsunami Foundation
Is Tsunami Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Tsunami Foundation (EIN: 137019761) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Tsunami Foundation spend its money?
Tsunami Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Tsunami Foundation tax-deductible?
Tsunami Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 137019761). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What is the Tsunami Foundation's primary mission and program activities?
The provided data does not include the organization's NTEE code or a description of its program activities, making it impossible to determine its specific mission or how its expenses are allocated to programs.
Why does the Tsunami Foundation report $1 in liabilities consistently?
The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all filings is highly unusual and may indicate a reporting anomaly or a specific accounting practice that requires clarification from the organization.
How does the Tsunami Foundation manage its highly volatile revenue streams?
The organization's revenue has fluctuated significantly, from $649,220 to over $9 million. Its ability to maintain consistent expenses and a large asset base suggests effective financial management of these variable income sources, likely through its substantial reserves.
Are there any related organizations or entities that might be compensating officers?
Given the consistent 'Officer Comp=0%', it would be prudent to investigate if there are any related organizations or entities that might be compensating individuals who also serve as officers for the Tsunami Foundation, as this is a common practice that can obscure true executive compensation.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Tsunami Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Tsunami Foundation's revenue has grown by 113.7%, moving from $721K to $1.5M. Total assets increased by 47.5% over the same period, from $17.6M to $25.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 66.6%, from $1.2M to $1.9M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Tsunami Foundation reported a deficit of $392K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $25.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $25.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5M | $1.9M | $25.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $649K | $2.1M | $26.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.8M | $2.2M | $27.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.6M | $1.9M | $26.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $4.5M | $1.9M | $26.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $871K | $1.9M | $25.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $9.1M | $2.1M | $26.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.6M | $1.3M | $19.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $692K | $1.2M | $17.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $721K | $1.2M | $17.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $25.9M (revenue +137.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $649K, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $26.3M (revenue -82.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $27.8M (revenue +135.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $26.3M (revenue -64.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $26.6M (revenue +417.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $871K, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $25.2M (revenue -90.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $9.1M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $26.2M (revenue +154.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $19.3M (revenue +413.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $692K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $17.1M (revenue -4.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $721K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $17.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Tsunami Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Tsunami 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.