Quick charity verification for Maine Academic Decathlon (EIN: 10539282)
Verdict: Maine Academic Decathlon appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, indicating potential operational cessation or severe financial distress.
Extremely small budget (historically under $10,000 revenue) limits program scope and sustainability.
Strengths
100% volunteer-run with 0% officer compensation, demonstrating high efficiency.
Historically, expenses closely matched revenue, indicating responsible spending and minimal waste (e.g., $7,902 expenses on $9,969 revenue in 201606).
No reported liabilities across all filings, suggesting sound financial management for its size.
Spending Breakdown
How Maine Academic Decathlon allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Maine Academic Decathlon
Is Maine Academic Decathlon a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Academic Decathlon (EIN: 10539282) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Maine Academic Decathlon a good charity to donate to?
Maine Academic Decathlon has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Maine Academic Decathlon?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Academic Decathlon is 10539282. 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 Maine Academic Decathlon spend its money?
Maine Academic Decathlon allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Maine Academic Decathlon's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Maine Academic Decathlon's tax-exempt status using EIN 10539282 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
Maine Academic Decathlon appears to be a very small, volunteer-run organization based on its financial filings. With zero revenue and assets in its latest filing, and historical revenues consistently under $10,000, its financial health is extremely limited. The organization operates on a shoestring budget, with expenses closely matching revenue in prior years, indicating a lack of significant reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a strong reliance on volunteer efforts, which is a positive indicator for efficiency in a small nonprofit.
Spending efficiency, while not explicitly detailed in terms of program vs. administrative costs in the provided data, can be inferred as high given the volunteer nature and tight budgets. The organization's ability to operate with such minimal funding and no paid officers suggests that nearly all funds are directed towards its mission. Transparency is good, with consistent filings available, and the absence of liabilities indicates responsible financial management for an organization of its size.
Overall, Maine Academic Decathlon demonstrates a commitment to its mission through efficient, volunteer-driven operations, though its financial capacity is extremely constrained. The lack of current revenue and assets raises questions about its ongoing operational viability, despite its historical efficiency.