Quick charity verification for Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum (EIN: 10545607)
Verdict: Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$79KRevenue
$606KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $109,179 in 2015 to $589,845 in 2024.
Zero liabilities reported across all 13 filing periods, indicating strong financial stability.
0% officer compensation reported in all filings, demonstrating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Revenue consistently exceeds expenses in most periods, leading to healthy surpluses.
Strong filing history with 13 IRS 990 filings, indicating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum
Is Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum (EIN: 10545607) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum a good charity to donate to?
Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $79K. Assets: $606K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum is 10545607. 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 Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum spend its money?
Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum's tax-exempt status using EIN 10545607 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 Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities across all available periods, indicating a very stable financial position. Its assets have shown significant growth, increasing from $109,179 in 2015 to $589,845 in 2024, reflecting effective asset management and potentially successful fundraising or investment strategies. The museum's revenue has fluctuated but generally trended upwards, with a notable peak of $210,196 in 2024, far exceeding its expenses of $46,698 in the same period. This consistent surplus generation contributes to its robust asset base.
Spending efficiency appears high, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings. This suggests that the organization is primarily volunteer-driven at the leadership level, allowing a greater proportion of funds to be directed towards its programs and operational needs. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the low overall expenses relative to revenue and asset growth imply efficient use of resources. The absence of officer compensation is a strong indicator of financial prudence and a focus on mission-related expenditures.
In terms of transparency, the organization has a consistent filing history with 13 filings, demonstrating adherence to IRS reporting requirements. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities and zero officer compensation across all periods simplifies financial analysis and provides a clear picture of its financial structure. The growth in assets and the positive net income in most years suggest a well-managed and financially sound entity, which enhances public trust and transparency.