SOUTHERN SMOKE FOUNDATION Charity Report

Public IRS 990 nonprofit record

SOUTHERN SMOKE FOUNDATION

EIN 81-2423050 · Fund Raising & Fund Distribution - Arts, Culture, and Humanities (A12)

What they do

to Provide Support and Assistance for Those In The Food and Beverage Community and Their Suppliers Who Are In Crisis. We Provide Funds Directly to People In Need That Are Battling Health Crises, Winter Storm Damage, Natural Disasters, and Mental Health Needs.

Before you give

Are they doing good?

Easy charity check

Good signs so far

The public paperwork has several good signs. Now check whether the charity can show who it helped.

Here is the honest answer: A tax form shows money and paperwork. It cannot prove that people, animals, or the community were truly helped.

Good signs we looked for

IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.

Money report from 2025The charity has a recent tax report to read.

They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.

They name their leaders19 people are listed in the latest report.

You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.

Money made simple

$87.49spent for every $100 of revenueRevenue covered expenses this year.

$11.60of every $100 spent went to management and office costsThis number alone does not tell us how much good they did.

$1.44in assets for every $1 spent this yearSome assets cannot be spent right away.

90.0%of its money came from giftsOther money may come from services or investments.

Ask these three easy questions

Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.

Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $172,131 for LINDSEY BROWN (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.

Bottom line: Good paperwork is a good sign—not proof. The best answer comes when the charity can show what it changed, who it helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.

Money

Financial picture

Tax year 2025

A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.

Money in and money out

Revenue$4,593,896

Expenses$4,019,071

Annual surplus $574,825 Revenue was higher than expenses for this filing year.

Selected spending reported on the 990

Each amount is compared with total expenses separately. These categories can overlap, so they should not be added together as a pie chart.

Management and general$466,430 · 11.6% of expenses

Grants paid$1,509,483 · 37.6% of expenses

See all reported dollar amounts

Revenue$4,593,896

Expenses$4,019,071

Assets$5,791,818

Income$5,704,258

Contributions$4,135,907

Grants given$1,509,483

Average grant$22,530

Management and general$466,430

Accounting fees$68,637

People

Leadership and board

Tax year 2025

Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.

People reported as paid

Person and titleCompensation

LINDSEY BROWNEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR · 40 hrs/week $172,131Base $159,258 · Other $12,873

CRIS TANGCFO · 40 hrs/week $153,672Base $145,973 · Other $7,699

CAROLINE NABORS ROSENDIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT · 40 hrs/week $140,302Base $131,969 · Other $8,333

CATARINA BILLCHIEF MISSION OFFICER · 40 hrs/week $122,397Base $115,583 · Other $6,814

Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.

See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (19)

LINDSEY BROWNEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CRIS TANGCFO

CAROLINE NABORS ROSENDIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

CATARINA BILLCHIEF MISSION OFFICER

IKIMI DUBOSEBOARD MEMBER

VANESSA AMESBOARD MEMBER

TONI TIPTON-MARTINBOARD MEMBER

SARAH GRUENEBERGBOARD MEMBER

PETTER PETTERSENIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

LEIGHANN BAKUNASSECRETARY

KEVIN GEEPRESIDENT

KAITLYN GOALENBOARD MEMBER

JUNE RODILVICE PRESIDENT

AARON FRANKLINBOARD MEMBER

ERIN SMITHBOARD MEMBER

CHRIS SHEPHERDFOUNDING DIR, HONORARY CHAIR

CHREE BOYDSTUNBOARD MEMBER

CHERIF MBODJIBOARD MEMBER

BENJAMIN FINKCHAIRMAN, FINANCE COMMITTE

About this charity

Recognized since: January 2021
Location: 1302 Waugh Drive 970, Houston, TX 77019
County: Harris
In care of: Lindsey Brown
Primary officer: Lindsey Brown, Executive Director

How to reach them

WebsiteVisit the charity’s website Emailinfo@southernsmoke.org Phone(713) 502-2508

Filing and classification

Latest tax year: 2025
Tax period began: January 1, 2025
Return type: 990
Tax preparer: BLAZEK & VETTERLING
NTEE classification: Fund Raising & Fund Distribution - Arts, Culture, and Humanities (A12)
IRS tax category: Fund Raising & Fund Distribution
Grant-giving organization: Yes