Quick charity verification for Maine Fishermens Forum (EIN: 10405019)
Verdict: Maine Fishermens Forum appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$446KRevenue
$292KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility makes long-term financial planning challenging.
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown prevents precise program efficiency analysis.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation indicates strong volunteer engagement and efficient use of funds.
Generally positive net assets and low liabilities demonstrate financial stability.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history shows commitment to regulatory compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Maine Fishermens Forum 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 Maine Fishermens Forum
Is Maine Fishermens Forum a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Fishermens Forum (EIN: 10405019) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Maine Fishermens Forum a good charity to donate to?
Maine Fishermens Forum has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $446K. Assets: $292K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Maine Fishermens Forum?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Fishermens Forum is 10405019. 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 Fishermens Forum spend its money?
Maine Fishermens Forum allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Maine Fishermens Forum's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Maine Fishermens Forum's tax-exempt status using EIN 10405019 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 Maine Fishermens Forum demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across most reported periods. The organization's revenue has shown significant fluctuation, ranging from a low of $26,750 in 2022 to a high of $320,721 in 2024. This variability suggests reliance on event-based or cyclical income streams. Despite these fluctuations, the organization has managed its expenses, often operating with a surplus, as seen in 2024 where revenue of $320,721 exceeded expenses of $267,631. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, without a detailed functional expense breakdown, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency between program, administrative, and fundraising costs. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and basic financial transparency.