Is Maine College Circle Legit?

Strengths

Significant asset growth over the past decade, indicating strong financial stewardship of accumulated funds.
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead at the executive level.
Maintains very low to zero liabilities, suggesting sound debt management and financial health.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (14 filings), indicating good transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Maine College Circle allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Maine College Circle

Is Maine College Circle a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine College Circle (EIN: 10470496) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Maine College Circle a good charity to donate to?

Maine College Circle has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $54K. Assets: $763K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine College Circle?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine College Circle is 10470496. 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 College Circle spend its money?

Maine College Circle allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Maine College Circle's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Maine College Circle's tax-exempt status using EIN 10470496 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 College Circle demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has shown significant asset growth over the past decade, from $43,395 in 2014 to $826,495 in 2023, its revenue has been highly volatile. For instance, revenue spiked to $759,981 in 2022 but dropped sharply to $30,146 in 2023, indicating potential reliance on large, infrequent donations or grants. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding executive pay.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses. However, in several periods, expenses have exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $52,452 against $30,146 in revenue, and in 2020 where expenses were $89,624 against $52,070 in revenue. This suggests that the organization is either drawing down reserves or experiencing inconsistent funding. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities across most filings indicates sound financial management in terms of debt.

Transparency appears strong given the consistent filing history and the clear reporting of key financial metrics. The absence of officer compensation is a notable point of transparency. However, a more detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) would further enhance understanding of how funds are allocated, which is not explicitly provided in the summary data.

Verdict: Maine College Circle appears trustworthy

Red Flags