Quick charity verification for Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra (EIN: 16006058)
Verdict: Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$6.0MRevenue
$16.9MAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the last three reported periods (2022-2024), indicating potential reliance on reserves or other non-operating income to cover costs.
Strengths
Consistent and significant asset growth over the past decade, from $6.9M in 2015 to $16.4M in 2024.
Reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong financial transparency and potentially volunteer leadership.
How Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra 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 Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra
Is Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra (EIN: 16006058) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra a good charity to donate to?
Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.0M. Assets: $16.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra is 16006058. 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 Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra spend its money?
Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra's tax-exempt status using EIN 16006058 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 Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent asset growth over the past decade, increasing from $6,936,639 in 2015 to $16,462,994 in 2024. While revenue has fluctuated, the organization has largely managed its expenses, though recent years (2022-2024) show expenses exceeding revenue, indicating a reliance on reserves or other funding sources to cover operational costs. For instance, in 2024, expenses were $4,464,312 against revenues of $4,332,163.
The organization's transparency is commendable regarding executive compensation, as all filings indicate 0% officer compensation. This suggests that the leadership either serves on a volunteer basis or compensation is structured in a way that doesn't fall under typical officer compensation reporting, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The consistent asset growth, despite some years of operating deficits, suggests sound financial management of its endowment or investment portfolio.
Overall, the Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra appears to be a financially sound organization with strong asset management and a commitment to transparency regarding executive pay. Further detail on expense allocation would enhance the understanding of its operational efficiency and program impact.