Institute for Southern Studies Inc
The Institute for Southern Studies is a nonprofit research and media center that exposes injustice, strengthens democracy and builds a community for change in the South. Through research, education, and outreach programs, the Institute draws attention to key trends and issues in the South, the growing importance of the region and innovative work for lasting change.
Institute for Southern Studies Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,378,336
- -25.8% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $277,758
- +146.5% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $-846
- -182.5% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $704,575
- -8.2% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Institute for Southern Studies Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $307 (2021) to $95K (2020). In 2023 it reported $2K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NC Voters for Clean Elections Raleigh, NC | NC democracy research and education | $45,000 |
| North Carolina Black Alliance Raleigh, NC | NC democracy research and education | $20,000 |
| BVM Capacity Building Instit Atlanta, GA | Civic engagement in Southern states | $15,250 |
| Common Cause Education Fund Raleigh, NC | NC democracy research and education | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,378,336 | $277,758 | $704,575 | — | — | $-846 |
| 2023 | $1,858,659 | $112,670 | $767,887 | $2,200 | Total only | $1,026 |
| 2022 | $2,569,882 | $379,385 | $625,537 | — | — | $283 |
| 2021 | $2,316,271 | $478,768 | $607,636 | $307 | Total only | $123 |
| 2020 | $2,448,600 | $1,785,253 | $826,038 | $95,250 | 4 | $114 |
| 2019 | $1,484,597 | $748,882 | $657,872 | $10,000 | 1 | $84 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Institute for Southern Studies Inc
Based on IRS filings
Institute for Southern Studies Inc is a public charity focused on Social Science, based in Durham, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Institute for Southern Studies Inc is led by Christopher Kromm, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Kromm
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$113K (2022) → $135K (2024)
Paul Cuadros
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Greenlee
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Abbott
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Kieran Taylor (2019–2023) — Chair
- Former: Allison Yee (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Kromm (2019–2021) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $135K, to Christopher Kromm (Executive Dir.).
Frequently asked questions about Institute for Southern Studies Inc
How large is Institute for Southern Studies Inc?
Institute for Southern Studies Inc reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $278K.
What is Institute for Southern Studies Inc?
Institute for Southern Studies Inc is a public charity focused on Social Science, based in Durham, NC. It holds $1.4M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Institute for Southern Studies Inc operate?
Institute for Southern Studies Inc has awarded grants in Georgia, North Carolina.
What is Institute for Southern Studies Inc's EIN?
Institute for Southern Studies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1090440. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 3, 2021)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Institute for Southern Studies Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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