Is Maine Historical Society Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Historical Society 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 Historical Society

Is Maine Historical Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Historical Society (EIN: 10211530) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Maine Historical Society a good charity to donate to?

Maine Historical Society has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $8.1M. Assets: $15.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Historical Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Historical Society is 10211530. 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 Historical Society spend its money?

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

How can I verify Maine Historical Society's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Maine Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 10211530 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 Historical Society demonstrates generally sound financial health, though recent filings show some fluctuations. In fiscal year 2023, the organization reported revenues of $1,763,789 against expenses of $2,724,841, indicating a deficit for the period. This contrasts with fiscal year 2022, which saw significantly higher revenue of $6,918,166 compared to expenses of $2,663,326, largely due to a substantial increase in contributions. The organization maintains a healthy asset base, with assets of $14,627,996 in 2023, providing a strong foundation for its operations. Liabilities have remained relatively stable over the past few years, suggesting responsible financial management.

Spending efficiency appears to be a focus, with program service expenses consistently forming the largest portion of total expenses. While specific breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising costs are not provided in the summary data, the overall expense levels relative to assets suggest a measured approach to spending. The absence of reported officer compensation across all provided filings indicates a high degree of transparency and a commitment to directing resources towards the mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive indicator for donors.

Overall, the Maine Historical Society appears to be a well-managed organization with a strong asset base and a commitment to its mission. The significant revenue spike in 2022 highlights its ability to attract substantial support, while the more typical revenue levels in other years demonstrate a consistent operational funding stream. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable strength in terms of transparency and resource allocation.

Is Maine Historical Society Legit?

Verdict: Maine Historical Society appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths