Quick charity verification for Maine Water Environment Association (EIN: 10380810)
Verdict: Maine Water Environment Association appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$220KRevenue
$98KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020)
Declining asset base from $135,236 in 2016 to $64,398 in 2023
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in executive overhead
Generally low liabilities, often reporting $0
Consistent filing history demonstrating transparency
Spending Breakdown
How Maine Water Environment Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Water Environment Association
Is Maine Water Environment Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Water Environment Association (EIN: 10380810) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Maine Water Environment Association a good charity to donate to?
Maine Water Environment Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $220K. Assets: $98K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Maine Water Environment Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Water Environment Association is 10380810. 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 Water Environment Association spend its money?
Maine Water Environment Association allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Maine Water Environment Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Maine Water Environment Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 10380810 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 Water Environment Association (MWEA) demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally ranging between $100,000 and $140,000 annually, excluding a dip in 2020. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, though it has seen a decline from a high of $135,236 in 2016 to $64,398 in 2023. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.
However, MWEA has frequently operated at a deficit in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in 2023 ($127,011 expenses vs. $101,537 revenue), 2022 ($122,229 expenses vs. $106,581 revenue), and 2020 ($50,455 expenses vs. $36,188 revenue). This trend of spending more than it takes in could be a concern for long-term financial sustainability if not addressed. The organization's liabilities have generally remained low, often at $0, which is a strong indicator of good financial management in that area.
Overall, MWEA appears to be a transparent organization given its consistent 990 filings and clear reporting of no officer compensation. While its program spending efficiency cannot be precisely determined without a detailed breakdown of expenses, the lack of executive compensation suggests a focus on mission. The recent trend of operating deficits and declining assets warrants attention for future financial health.