Quick charity verification for Bangor Public Library Trustees (EIN: 16000785)
Verdict: Bangor Public Library Trustees appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$3.1MRevenue
$24.4MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016) where expenses exceeded revenue, indicating reliance on reserves or endowment draws.
Lack of reported officer compensation across all filings, which could obscure leadership costs if not volunteer-based.
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $301,585 liabilities vs. $24.07 million assets in 2023), indicating strong balance sheet health.
Consistent expense management, with annual expenses generally staying within a predictable range, suggesting operational stability.
Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrates consistent compliance and transparency in reporting to the IRS.
Spending Breakdown
How Bangor Public Library Trustees allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Bangor Public Library Trustees
Is Bangor Public Library Trustees a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bangor Public Library Trustees (EIN: 16000785) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Bangor Public Library Trustees a good charity to donate to?
Bangor Public Library Trustees has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.1M. Assets: $24.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bangor Public Library Trustees?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bangor Public Library Trustees is 16000785. 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 Bangor Public Library Trustees spend its money?
Bangor Public Library Trustees allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bangor Public Library Trustees's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bangor Public Library Trustees's tax-exempt status using EIN 16000785 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 Bangor Public Library Trustees demonstrate a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently above $23 million over the past decade, peaking at $27.1 million in 2015. While revenue has fluctuated, ranging from a high of $6.08 million in 2014 to a low of $1.91 million in 2019, the organization has managed its expenses, which have remained relatively consistent, typically between $2.7 million and $3.4 million annually. The most recent filing (202306) shows expenses exceeding revenue by $252,639, a trend seen in several recent years, indicating a reliance on prior year surpluses or endowment drawdowns to cover operational costs. However, the organization's substantial asset base provides a strong buffer against these deficits.
Spending efficiency appears reasonable, though a detailed breakdown of program versus administrative and fundraising costs is not explicitly provided in the summary data. The consistent expense levels suggest stable operations. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer board or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs if not clearly disclosed elsewhere. The organization's low liabilities relative to its assets, such as $301,585 in liabilities against $24.07 million in assets in 2023, points to strong financial management and minimal debt burden.
Overall, the Bangor Public Library Trustees appear to be a financially sound organization with a significant asset base supporting its mission. While recent years have shown expenses slightly outpacing revenue, the overall financial health remains robust. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, suggesting further inquiry might be beneficial to understand how leadership is compensated or if it is entirely volunteer-driven.