Is University Of Maine Foundation Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for University Of Maine Foundation (EIN: 16011501)

Strengths

Strong and consistent asset growth, reaching $458,332,421 in the latest filing.
Generally healthy financial surplus, with revenues often exceeding expenses (e.g., 2023 revenue $64.7M vs. expenses $32.8M).
Significant revenue generation, demonstrating strong fundraising capabilities.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial health (e.g., 2023 liabilities $12.0M vs. assets $390.5M).

Spending Breakdown

How University Of Maine Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 University Of Maine Foundation

Is University Of Maine Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, University Of Maine Foundation (EIN: 16011501) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is University Of Maine Foundation a good charity to donate to?

University Of Maine Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $112.3M. Assets: $458.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for University Of Maine Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for University Of Maine Foundation is 16011501. 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 University Of Maine Foundation spend its money?

University Of Maine Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify University Of Maine Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify University Of Maine Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 16011501 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 University of Maine Foundation demonstrates a strong financial position with consistently growing assets, reaching $458,332,421 in its latest filing. Revenue has shown significant fluctuations, from a low of $13,693,961 in 2016 to a high of $112,266,399 in the latest period, indicating reliance on varied funding sources, likely including large donations or investment returns. The organization generally maintains a healthy surplus, with revenues often exceeding expenses, which contributes to its substantial asset base. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $64,724,867 against expenses of $32,864,307.

Spending efficiency appears reasonable, though a detailed breakdown of program versus administrative and fundraising expenses is not directly provided in the summary data. However, the consistent growth in assets suggests effective management of funds. The foundation's primary role is to support the University of Maine, implying that its 'program' spending would largely be grants and support to the university. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data is notable and could indicate that executive salaries are either very low, covered by the university, or not reported in this specific summary, which impacts transparency regarding leadership costs.

Overall, the foundation appears financially robust and well-managed in terms of asset growth and revenue generation. Further transparency on the allocation of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories would provide a clearer picture of its operational efficiency and how directly funds are flowing to its mission-related activities.

Is University Of Maine Foundation Legit?

Verdict: University Of Maine Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags