Quick charity verification for Penobscot River And Bay Institute (EIN: 10478291)
Verdict: Penobscot River And Bay Institute appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and assets, potentially indicating inactivity or cessation of financial operations.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation across all filings, indicating a volunteer-driven model and efficient use of funds.
Consistent financial surpluses in prior years (e.g., $3,776 revenue vs. $2,928 expenses in 2016), demonstrating responsible financial management.
No reported liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
Stable asset base in prior years, showing careful stewardship of resources.
Spending Breakdown
How Penobscot River And Bay Institute allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Penobscot River And Bay Institute
Is Penobscot River And Bay Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Penobscot River And Bay Institute (EIN: 10478291) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Penobscot River And Bay Institute a good charity to donate to?
Penobscot River And Bay Institute has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Penobscot River And Bay Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Penobscot River And Bay Institute is 10478291. 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 Penobscot River And Bay Institute spend its money?
Penobscot River And Bay Institute allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Penobscot River And Bay Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Penobscot River And Bay Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 10478291 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 Penobscot River And Bay Institute appears to be a very small, volunteer-run organization with minimal financial activity. Its latest filing shows $0 in revenue and assets, suggesting it may be inactive or operating on an extremely limited scale. In prior years, revenue and expenses were consistently low, typically in the range of $1,000-$4,000 annually. The organization has maintained a healthy financial position with no reported liabilities and a small but stable asset base, peaking at $7,050 in 2016. Given its size and lack of paid officers, its financial health is stable for its operational model, but its impact is likely very localized and limited by its resources.
Spending efficiency is difficult to assess precisely without detailed expense breakdowns, but the consistent surplus of revenue over expenses in prior years indicates responsible management of its limited funds. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods suggests a high degree of volunteerism, which inherently maximizes the impact of any funds received. Transparency is good, with consistent filings, and the lack of complex financial structures simplifies oversight.
Overall, the organization demonstrates a commitment to its mission through volunteer efforts and careful management of its small budget. While its financial scale is negligible, its operational model appears sustainable for its current scope, relying heavily on non-monetary contributions.