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Southern Tier Network Inc

EIN 27-4516734 · Corning, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THROUGH PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, THE SOUTHERN TIER NETWORK (STN) STRIVES TO ENRICH THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN REGIONS WE SERVE BY PROVIDING HIGH SPEED BROADBAND CONNECTIONS VIA A QUALITY OPEN ACCESS MODEL.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-20.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
8
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$331,211, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 104% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $6.3 million spent. STN IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, OPEN ACCESS OPTICAL FIBER NETWORK THAT WAS CREATED IN JANUARY 2011 THROUGH PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. THE NETWORK WAS BUILT TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, IMPROVE BROADBAND ACCESS IN THE RURAL AREAS, INCREASE COMPETITION AND THE LEVEL OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE REGION, AND CREATE A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR JOB CREATION IN THE SOUTHERN TIER REGION. THE NETWORK IS WORKING WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS TO BRING FIBER TO THEIR CELL TOWERS, WHICH WILL IMPROVE SERVICES FOR CONSUMERS IN OUR REGION AND WHICH ALSO BRINGS THE FIBER OUT INTO THE RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE COUNTIES. THE RESOURCE IS BEING MARKETED FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, AND HEALTH CARE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on October 15, 2017.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.