Quick charity verification for South Portland Historical Society (EIN: 16045966)
Verdict: South Portland Historical Society shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$132KRevenue
$375KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in most years, e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014)
Declining asset base over the past decade (from $505,416 in 2014 to $389,095 in 2023)
Strengths
High transparency with 13 years of IRS 990 filings available
Volunteer-based leadership with 0% officer compensation reported
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $1,569 liabilities vs. $389,095 assets in 2023)
Spending Breakdown
How South Portland Historical Society 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 South Portland Historical Society
Is South Portland Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, South Portland Historical Society (EIN: 16045966) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is South Portland Historical Society a good charity to donate to?
South Portland Historical Society has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $132K. Assets: $375K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for South Portland Historical Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for South Portland Historical Society is 16045966. 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 South Portland Historical Society spend its money?
South Portland Historical Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify South Portland Historical Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify South Portland Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 16045966 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 South Portland Historical Society demonstrates consistent financial transparency, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings readily available. The organization's financial health shows some concerning trends, with expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years. For example, in 2023, expenses were $123,597 against revenues of $105,600, and in 2022, expenses were $108,354 against revenues of $90,040. This has led to a gradual decline in assets from $505,416 in 2014 to $389,095 in 2023.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses within the provided data. However, the consistent deficit spending suggests that the organization may be struggling to cover its operational costs through its current revenue streams. The lack of reported officer compensation indicates that leadership is likely volunteer-based, which can be a positive for minimizing administrative overhead.
Overall, while the organization is transparent with its filings and benefits from volunteer leadership, its financial sustainability is a concern due to persistent operating deficits and declining asset base. Addressing the revenue-expense gap will be crucial for its long-term viability.