Is Maine Conservation Alliance Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $216,324 in 2014 to $1,081,857 in 2023.
Strong financial health with assets consistently exceeding liabilities (e.g., $973,675 assets vs. $89,299 liabilities in 2023).
No reported officer compensation, indicating a high percentage of funds likely go directly to programs.
Positive net income in most recent years (e.g., $1,081,857 revenue vs. $860,343 expenses in 2023).
Excellent transparency with 14 years of consistent IRS 990 filings.

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Conservation Alliance 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 Maine Conservation Alliance

Is Maine Conservation Alliance a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Conservation Alliance (EIN: 10541478) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Maine Conservation Alliance a good charity to donate to?

Maine Conservation Alliance has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Conservation Alliance?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Conservation Alliance is 10541478. 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 Conservation Alliance spend its money?

Maine Conservation Alliance allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Maine Conservation Alliance's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Maine Conservation Alliance's tax-exempt status using EIN 10541478 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 Conservation Alliance demonstrates strong financial health and growth, with revenue consistently exceeding expenses in recent years. For example, in 2023, revenue was $1,081,857 against expenses of $860,343, indicating a healthy surplus. The organization's assets have also shown consistent growth, reaching $973,675 in 2023, which suggests good financial management and capacity building. Their liabilities are relatively low compared to assets, further indicating financial stability.

The organization appears to be highly efficient in its spending, with a significant portion of its budget likely directed towards program services, given the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings. This suggests a lean operational structure and a focus on mission-related activities. The consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, from $216,324 in revenue and $181,242 in assets in 2014 to over $1 million in revenue and nearly $1 million in assets in 2023, reflects increasing public support and effective resource utilization.

Transparency is excellent, as evidenced by 14 years of consistent IRS 990 filings and the clear indication of no officer compensation, which simplifies the analysis of how funds are allocated. The consistent growth and prudent financial management, coupled with no reported executive compensation, paint a picture of a well-managed and mission-focused organization.

Is Maine Conservation Alliance Legit?

Verdict: Maine Conservation Alliance appears trustworthy

Red Flags