Is Maine Natural History Observatory Legit?…

Quick charity verification for Maine Natural History Observatory (EIN: 200718450)

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication of funds to mission.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (12 filings), demonstrating transparency and stable operations.
Significant growth in assets from $5,873 in 2014 to $268,146 currently, indicating strong financial stewardship over the long term.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with current assets of $268,146 far exceeding 2023 liabilities of $9,298.

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Natural History Observatory 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 Natural History Observatory

Is Maine Natural History Observatory a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Natural History Observatory (EIN: 200718450) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Maine Natural History Observatory a good charity to donate to?

Maine Natural History Observatory has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $349K. Assets: $268K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Natural History Observatory?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Natural History Observatory is 200718450. 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 Natural History Observatory spend its money?

Maine Natural History Observatory allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Maine Natural History Observatory's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Maine Natural History Observatory's tax-exempt status using EIN 200718450 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 Natural History Observatory demonstrates a consistent operational history with 12 filings, indicating a stable presence. The organization's financial health shows some volatility, with revenues and expenses fluctuating year-to-year. For instance, in 2023, expenses slightly exceeded revenue ($199,149 vs. $198,121), leading to a minor deficit. However, the organization has also experienced periods of surplus, such as in 2019 where revenue significantly outpaced expenses ($266,280 vs. $226,983). The latest reported assets of $268,146, compared to liabilities of $9,298 in 2023, suggest a healthy balance sheet with ample reserves relative to short-term obligations.

Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, as the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation on the 990. This suggests a high dedication of resources directly to the mission. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the raw data, the absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator for efficiency.

Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing history. The organization's financial data is publicly available through its IRS 990 filings. The lack of reported officer compensation enhances transparency by showing that a significant portion of funds is not diverted to high executive salaries. However, without a more granular breakdown of functional expenses, it's challenging to fully assess the precise allocation of funds between program delivery, administrative overhead, and fundraising efforts.

Is Maine Natural History Observatory Legit?

Verdict: Maine Natural History Observatory appears trustworthy

Red Flags