Is Maine Seacoast Mission Legit?

Strengths

Strong and consistent asset growth over the past decade (from $42.9M in 2014 to $63.8M in 2023)
Historically, revenue has generally exceeded expenses, indicating financial sustainability
Consistently low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating potential volunteer leadership or efficient compensation structures

Spending Breakdown

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

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

12%

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 Seacoast Mission

Is Maine Seacoast Mission a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Seacoast Mission (EIN: 10216837) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Maine Seacoast Mission a good charity to donate to?

Maine Seacoast Mission has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $15.4M. Assets: $73.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Seacoast Mission?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Seacoast Mission is 10216837. 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 Seacoast Mission spend its money?

Maine Seacoast Mission allocates 80% to programs, 12% to administration, and 8% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Maine Seacoast Mission's tax-exempt status using EIN 10216837 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 Seacoast Mission demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with substantial assets of $73,617,873 and a history of consistent revenue generation. While the latest filing (202306) shows expenses ($5,181,991) exceeding revenue ($4,227,758), this appears to be an anomaly in their recent history, as most prior years show revenue comfortably exceeding expenses. The organization's asset base has grown significantly over the past decade, from $42,958,606 in 2014 to over $63 million in 2023, indicating strong financial stewardship and potentially robust investment returns or significant donations.

The spending efficiency is difficult to precisely determine without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the consistent growth in assets suggests that a significant portion of their financial activity is either reinvested or held for future programs. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable point regarding transparency and potentially efficiency, as it suggests either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is reported under other categories, which would warrant further investigation for full transparency.

Overall, Maine Seacoast Mission appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong asset base. The recent dip in net revenue for the 2023 fiscal year should be monitored, but it doesn't immediately signal a long-term issue given their historical performance and substantial reserves. Their consistent filing history and the zero reported officer compensation indicate a commitment to certain aspects of transparency, though a more granular expense breakdown would enhance a complete assessment.

Verdict: Maine Seacoast Mission appears trustworthy

Red Flags