Is Downeast Salmon Federation Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Downeast Salmon Federation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Downeast Salmon Federation

Is Downeast Salmon Federation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Downeast Salmon Federation (EIN: 10532938) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Downeast Salmon Federation a good charity to donate to?

Downeast Salmon Federation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $6.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Downeast Salmon Federation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Downeast Salmon Federation is 10532938. 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 Downeast Salmon Federation spend its money?

Downeast Salmon Federation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Downeast Salmon Federation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Downeast Salmon Federation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10532938 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 Downeast Salmon Federation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position with consistent revenue generation and asset growth over the past decade. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported revenue of $2,129,209 against expenses of $1,325,943, indicating a significant surplus. This trend of revenue exceeding expenses is largely consistent, with only a few exceptions like 202212 where expenses slightly outpaced revenue. The organization's assets have steadily grown from $2,911,943 in 201412 to $5,972,156 in 202312, suggesting sound financial management and accumulation of resources for its mission.

Spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses and asset growth. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for donors. The organization's liabilities remain relatively low compared to its assets, further reinforcing its financial stability. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health suggests a well-managed operation.

Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as no officer compensation has been reported in any of the provided filings. This indicates that the organization's leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a strong positive for donor confidence. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods also points to a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.

Is Downeast Salmon Federation Legit?

Verdict: Downeast Salmon Federation appears trustworthy

Strengths