Is Maine Way Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Maine Way Inc (EIN: 10384908)

Verdict: Maine Way Inc shows mixed signals

55/100Mission Score

$0Revenue

$0Assets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Latest filing reports $0 revenue and $0 assets, indicating potential cessation of operations or significant financial distress.
Consistently high liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $79,451 liabilities vs. $137,998 assets in 2019), suggesting potential financial vulnerability.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary data, hindering full spending efficiency assessment.

Strengths

No reported officer compensation across all nine filings, suggesting a potentially volunteer-led executive team or efficient use of funds.
History of consistent operation for at least nine years prior to the latest filing, demonstrating longevity.
Generally operated near break-even or with small surpluses in several years (e.g., 2019, 2018, 2016, 2012) before the latest report.

Spending Breakdown

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

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Way Inc

Is Maine Way Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Maine Way Inc (EIN: 10384908) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Maine Way Inc a good charity to donate to?

Maine Way Inc has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Maine Way Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Maine Way Inc is 10384908. 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 Way Inc spend its money?

Maine Way Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Maine Way Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 10384908 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 Way Inc. appears to be a small, consistently operating nonprofit, though its latest filing shows $0 in revenue and assets, which is a significant red flag requiring further investigation. Over the past nine years, the organization has maintained modest revenues, typically in the $50,000-$70,000 range, with corresponding expenses. Its assets have fluctuated, peaking around $153,868 in 2012 and declining to $137,998 by 2019, before the reported $0 in the latest period. Liabilities have consistently been high relative to assets, often exceeding 60% of total assets, indicating a reliance on debt or restricted funds.

The organization's financial health, based on historical data, shows it generally operates near break-even, with some years experiencing deficits (e.g., 2017, 2015, 2014, 2011) and others small surpluses (e.g., 2019, 2018, 2016, 2012). The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests either a volunteer-led organization or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency. The sudden drop to $0 revenue and assets in the latest period is highly concerning and suggests either a cessation of operations, a significant reporting error, or a change in filing status.

Spending efficiency cannot be fully assessed without a breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operation over nearly a decade with modest revenues suggests a lean operation. Transparency is moderate; while filings are available, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns and the recent $0 report raise questions. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a positive sign for resource allocation to mission, assuming it's accurate and not hidden.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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