Is Maine Jewish Film Festival Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent growth in assets, from $37,181 in 2014 to $229,247 in 2023.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive overhead.
Long history of consistent IRS 990 filings, demonstrating strong transparency.
Minimal liabilities reported across most years, indicating strong financial health and low debt.
Stable revenue generation over a decade, supporting consistent programming.

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Jewish Film Festival 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 Jewish Film Festival

Is Maine Jewish Film Festival a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Jewish Film Festival (EIN: 10526374) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Maine Jewish Film Festival a good charity to donate to?

Maine Jewish Film Festival has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $231K. Assets: $203K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Jewish Film Festival?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Jewish Film Festival is 10526374. 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 Jewish Film Festival spend its money?

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

How can I verify Maine Jewish Film Festival's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Maine Jewish Film Festival's tax-exempt status using EIN 10526374 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 Jewish Film Festival demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in a similar range over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, revenues were $158,197 against expenses of $163,025, indicating a slight deficit. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, growing from $37,181 in 2014 to $229,247 in 2023, with minimal liabilities reported across most years, suggesting good financial stewardship and solvency. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence regarding overhead.

Spending efficiency appears reasonable given the nature of a film festival, which often involves significant program-related costs. While specific program vs. administrative spending ratios aren't detailed in the provided summary, the absence of officer compensation suggests that a significant portion of funds is likely directed towards operational and programmatic activities. The organization's ability to grow its assets while maintaining consistent programming over many years points to effective management of its resources.

Transparency is strong, as evidenced by the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period. The clear reporting of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities, along with the explicit mention of 0% officer compensation, provides a good level of detail for public scrutiny. The lack of significant liabilities further enhances the perception of financial health and responsible management.

Is Maine Jewish Film Festival Legit?

Verdict: Maine Jewish Film Festival appears trustworthy

Red Flags