Is Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory Legit?
Quick charity verification for Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (EIN: 10202467)
Verdict: Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$21.8MRevenue
$30.7MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated.
Expenses frequently exceed revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017), indicating reliance on reserves or other funding mechanisms not immediately apparent.
Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods demonstrates commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
Significant revenue generation, with a peak of over $21 million in 2021, indicating strong fundraising or grant acquisition capabilities.
Spending Breakdown
How Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
Is Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (EIN: 10202467) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory a good charity to donate to?
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $21.8M. Assets: $30.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is 10202467. 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 Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory spend its money?
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory's tax-exempt status using EIN 10202467 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
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory demonstrates a generally stable financial position with significant assets relative to its annual expenses. While revenue has fluctuated, notably a peak in 2021 at $21,825,438 and a subsequent decrease to $14,061,771 in 2023, the organization consistently maintains substantial assets, averaging around $30 million. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, indicating that no officers are compensated directly through the organization's funds, or that compensation is reported differently. This practice, if accurate, is a strong indicator of financial integrity and a focus on mission over individual enrichment.
The organization's spending efficiency cannot be fully assessed without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of expenses often exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses of $16,846,072 against revenue of $14,061,771) suggests that the organization is utilizing its resources, potentially drawing from reserves or prior year surpluses, to fund its operations. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public transparency.