Quick charity verification for The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine (EIN: 10542376)
Verdict: The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$3.0MRevenue
$3.5MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 202406, 202306, 202206) where expenses exceeded revenue.
Unusual absence of any reported officer compensation, which might indicate an alternative compensation structure or reliance on unpaid leadership that could pose sustainability risks.
Strengths
Strong program focus implied by 0% officer compensation, suggesting resources are directed to mission.
Consistent filing history over 14 periods demonstrates good transparency and compliance.
Stable asset base (around $1.1M - $1.4M in recent years) provides financial resilience.
Long-standing operation since at least 2015 (first filing provided) indicates organizational stability.
Spending Breakdown
How The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine
Is The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine (EIN: 10542376) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine a good charity to donate to?
The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.0M. Assets: $3.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine is 10542376. 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 The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine spend its money?
The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Challenger Learnng Center Of Maine's tax-exempt status using EIN 10542376 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 Challenger Learning Center Of Maine demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues and expenses generally in a similar range over the past decade. While the organization has experienced slight deficits in recent years (e.g., 202406 saw expenses of $386,408 against revenues of $333,069), its asset base has remained relatively stable, hovering around $1.1 to $1.4 million. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission, or that executive functions are handled by volunteers or through other arrangements not captured as direct compensation on the 990. This lack of reported compensation also contributes positively to its transparency regarding executive pay.
The organization's financial health appears stable, though it operates with relatively thin margins, often spending slightly more than it brings in. Its assets of $3,478,959 (latest available) provide a reasonable buffer against these operational fluctuations. The consistent filing history over 14 periods indicates good compliance and transparency in reporting its financial activities to the IRS.