Is Maine Huts & Trails Legit?

Quick charity verification for Maine Huts & Trails (EIN: 10537084)

Verdict: Maine Huts & Trails appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$1.2MRevenue

$4.0MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent decline in assets from $6.2M in 2014 to $4.0M in 2023, indicating a reduction in financial reserves.
Multiple years of operating deficits where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 202206, 202106, 201906, 201806, 201706, 201612, 201412), suggesting historical challenges in financial management.

Strengths

Strong financial turnaround in the latest 202306 filing, with revenue significantly exceeding expenses ($1,821,500 vs. $1,053,411).
Zero officer compensation reported across all 13 filings, demonstrating exceptional transparency and commitment to directing funds to the mission.
Significant reduction in liabilities from $1,966,880 in 201412 to $382,953 in 202306, improving financial health and reducing risk.
Ability to generate substantial revenue in peak years, indicating strong fundraising or program income potential.

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Huts & Trails 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 Huts & Trails

Is Maine Huts & Trails a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Huts & Trails (EIN: 10537084) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Maine Huts & Trails a good charity to donate to?

Maine Huts & Trails has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $1.2M. Assets: $4.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Huts & Trails?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Huts & Trails is 10537084. 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 Huts & Trails spend its money?

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

How can I verify Maine Huts & Trails's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Maine Huts & Trails's tax-exempt status using EIN 10537084 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 Huts & Trails demonstrates a fluctuating financial picture over the past decade. While the organization reported a strong surplus in the most recent 202306 period, with revenue of $1,821,500 significantly exceeding expenses of $1,053,411, this follows several years of operating deficits, such as in 202206 where expenses outstripped revenue by over $260,000. The organization's assets have also shown a consistent decline from a peak of $6,235,670 in 201412 to $4,001,387 in 202306, indicating a reduction in its overall financial base. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this area, contributing positively to transparency regarding executive pay.

Spending efficiency appears to be improving, as evidenced by the recent surplus. However, the long-term trend of declining assets and periods of deficit spending suggest that financial management has faced challenges in balancing revenue generation with operational costs. The organization's ability to generate substantial revenue in some years (e.g., $1,821,500 in 202306 and $1,648,369 in 201906) indicates a capacity for fundraising and program income, but consistency has been an issue. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and efficient use of funds.

Overall, Maine Huts & Trails exhibits a mixed financial health profile. While the latest filing shows a positive turnaround, the historical data points to a need for sustained financial stability and asset preservation. The transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with no officer compensation reported in any of the available filings. The organization's ability to manage its liabilities, which have also decreased from a high of $1,966,880 in 201412 to $382,953 in 202306, is a positive development, reducing financial risk.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.