Quick charity verification for Maine Forest Products Council (EIN: 10369125)
Verdict: Maine Forest Products Council appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$801KRevenue
$1.2MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Significant increase in liabilities from $38,453 in 2022 to $267,543 in 2023, requiring clarification on its nature.
Operational deficits in several years (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2018) where expenses exceeded revenues, indicating potential reliance on reserves or other funding sources.
Strengths
Strong asset base, consistently over $1 million, providing financial stability.
Long history of consistent IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating transparency and compliance.
Efficient use of funds suggested by 0% reported officer compensation, potentially maximizing resources for programs.
Spending Breakdown
How Maine Forest Products Council allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Forest Products Council
Is Maine Forest Products Council a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Forest Products Council (EIN: 10369125) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Maine Forest Products Council a good charity to donate to?
Maine Forest Products Council has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $801K. Assets: $1.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Maine Forest Products Council?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Forest Products Council is 10369125. 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 Forest Products Council spend its money?
Maine Forest Products Council allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Maine Forest Products Council's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Maine Forest Products Council's tax-exempt status using EIN 10369125 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 Forest Products Council demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues fluctuating between approximately $600,000 and $1.3 million over the past decade. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported revenues of $791,676 against expenses of $806,575, indicating a slight operational deficit for that period. This follows a trend in several years (e.g., 2019, 2018) where expenses exceeded revenues, though the organization generally maintains a healthy asset base, most recently reported at $1,362,745. The organization's liabilities have varied, with a notable increase in 2023 to $267,543 from a low of $38,453 in 2022.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available. A key aspect of its financial health is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, or that the organization's structure does not include paid officers in the traditional sense. This practice, if accurate, could indicate a high degree of dedication to mission and efficient use of funds.
While specific program spending ratios are not provided in the raw data, the consistent operational scale and asset base suggest a stable organization. The fluctuation in revenues and expenses, along with varying liabilities, warrants closer examination of the specific activities and funding sources. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant factor in assessing its financial model and potential efficiency.