Is Maine Rivers Legit?

Quick charity verification for Maine Rivers (EIN: 20556861)

Verdict: Maine Rivers appears trustworthy

92/100Mission Score
$859KRevenue
$649KAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Maine Rivers allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Rivers

Is Maine Rivers a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Rivers (EIN: 20556861) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Maine Rivers a good charity to donate to?

Maine Rivers has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $859K. Assets: $649K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Rivers?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Rivers is 20556861. 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 Rivers spend its money?

Maine Rivers allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Maine Rivers's tax-exempt status using EIN 20556861 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 Rivers demonstrates a fluctuating but generally positive financial trajectory, with recent filings showing a healthy surplus in 202303 (Revenue $447,144 vs. Expenses $176,270) and a balanced budget in 202403 (Revenue $188,270 vs. Expenses $185,720). While there were periods of significant deficits, such as in 202203 where expenses ($898,494) far exceeded revenue ($665,121), the organization has shown an ability to recover and maintain a stable asset base, currently at $648,822. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a significant positive for spending efficiency and transparency. The organization's liabilities have remained very low, indicating good financial management and minimal debt burden. Spending efficiency appears high given the lack of officer compensation and the overall trend of managing expenses relative to revenue, especially in recent years. The organization's assets have grown considerably over the past decade, from $80,743 in 201503 to $648,822 currently, suggesting effective financial stewardship and accumulation of resources to support its mission. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability, providing a clear historical record of its financial operations. Overall, Maine Rivers appears to be a financially sound and transparent organization, effectively managing its resources to achieve its programmatic goals.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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

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