Is Maine Jewish Museum Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Jewish Museum 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 Museum

Is Maine Jewish Museum a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Jewish Museum (EIN: 141964898) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Maine Jewish Museum a good charity to donate to?

Maine Jewish Museum has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $600K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Jewish Museum?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Jewish Museum is 141964898. 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 Museum spend its money?

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

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

You can verify Maine Jewish Museum's tax-exempt status using EIN 141964898 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 Museum demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently over $1 million and a recent increase to $1,518,025. Revenue has fluctuated, peaking at $400,045 in 2023, which allowed for a surplus of $63,612 (Revenue $400,045 - Expenses $336,433). This surplus contributes to asset growth and financial resilience. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, indicating good financial management and a low risk profile.

The museum's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given its mission as a cultural institution. While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided data, the consistent operational surpluses in several years (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014) suggest effective management of expenses relative to incoming funds. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant positive indicator for transparency and ensures that resources are directed towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries.

Transparency is a notable strength, primarily due to the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods and the explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This level of detail provides a clear picture of the organization's financial operations and commitment to its public trust. The consistent growth in assets, from $915,539 in 2014 to over $1.5 million currently, further underscores a well-managed and financially healthy institution.

Verdict: Maine Jewish Museum appears trustworthy

Strengths