Quick charity verification for Maine Quality Counts (EIN: 204935972)
Verdict: Maine Quality Counts appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$6.8MRevenue
$2.5MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation into executive compensation practices.
Strengths
Significant revenue growth from $1.47 million in 2011 to $6.75 million in 2018, demonstrating strong funding capabilities.
Consistent management of expenses, generally operating near break-even.
Healthy asset base of $2,478,296 in 2018, providing financial stability.
Reduction in liabilities from a high of $1,780,427 in 2014 to $699,846 in 2018, improving financial leverage.
Spending Breakdown
How Maine Quality Counts allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Quality Counts
Is Maine Quality Counts a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Quality Counts (EIN: 204935972) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Maine Quality Counts a good charity to donate to?
Maine Quality Counts has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $6.8M. Assets: $2.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Maine Quality Counts?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Quality Counts is 204935972. 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 Quality Counts spend its money?
Maine Quality Counts allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Maine Quality Counts's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Maine Quality Counts's tax-exempt status using EIN 204935972 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 Quality Counts demonstrates a consistent operational pattern, with expenses closely tracking revenue over the past eight years. In the most recent filing (201806), the organization reported revenue of $6,754,223 against expenses of $7,015,594, indicating a slight deficit for that period. While assets have fluctuated, they remain substantial at $2,478,296 in 2018, providing a reasonable financial cushion. The organization's liabilities have generally decreased from a high of $1,780,427 in 2014 to $699,846 in 2018, which is a positive trend.
One notable aspect is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is not categorized under 'officer compensation' in a way that is publicly disclosed in these summaries. Further investigation into the detailed 990 forms would be necessary to fully understand the compensation structure. The organization's revenue has shown significant growth, from $1,471,685 in 2011 to over $6.7 million in 2018, indicating successful fundraising or grant acquisition efforts.
Overall, Maine Quality Counts appears to be financially stable with a history of managing its expenses in line with its income. The lack of reported officer compensation is a significant transparency point that warrants closer examination to ensure a complete understanding of its operational costs and leadership structure.