Is American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront Legit?

Quick charity verification for American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront (EIN: 20618599)

Verdict: American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score
$757KRevenue
$44KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront

Is American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront (EIN: 20618599) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront a good charity to donate to?

American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $757K. Assets: $44K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront is 20618599. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront spend its money?

American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront's tax-exempt status?

You can verify American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront's tax-exempt status using EIN 20618599 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

The American Folk Festival On The Bangor Waterfront demonstrates a consistent operational history, with revenues and expenses generally in balance over the past eight years. For example, in 2018, revenues were $719,888 against expenses of $734,077, indicating a slight deficit. The organization's assets have remained relatively low, peaking at $45,678 in 2013 and standing at $43,989 in 2018, which is modest for an organization with annual revenues often exceeding $700,000. A notable concern is the consistently high liabilities, which were $134,993 in 2018 and have historically been much higher, reaching $259,993 in 2011. This suggests a reliance on short-term funding or significant outstanding obligations relative to its asset base. The organization's financial health appears stable in terms of its ability to generate revenue to cover expenses, but its balance sheet shows limited reserves and significant liabilities. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which can be a positive for spending efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess program spending efficiency versus administrative or fundraising costs. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to regulatory transparency. Overall, the festival appears to be a community-focused event operating on tight margins with a strong reliance on its annual revenue cycle. While it manages to cover its costs, the high liabilities and low asset base suggest a limited capacity for unexpected financial challenges or significant growth without external capital.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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