Caribou Historical Society
Caribou Historical Society consistently operates at a significant deficit, spending far more than it earns annually.
EIN: 16054897 · Caribou, ME · Updated: 2026-03-28
Source and Resolution Links
Finish the Investigation Outside Our Dataset
When the answer lives with the IRS, ProPublica, Candid, Charity Navigator, or the nonprofit itself, NonprofitSpending links out instead of trapping the user on a partial answer.
IRS tax-exempt lookup
Verify exemption status and deductibility directly with the IRS.
ProPublica 990 source
Open the raw filing record and filing PDFs outside NonprofitSpending.
Candid profile search
Look for GuideStar/Candid profile details, programs, leadership, and seals.
Charity Navigator search
Check whether another evaluator has ratings or impact context.
Workflow Engine
Queries We Should Resolve, Not Just Answer
Search Console demand points to task completion. Each workflow can run calculations, source checks, external lookups, comparisons, and report/export capture around this nonprofit.
Verify tax status Runnable
Triggered by: 501(c)(3), tax deductible, EIN
IRS status check plus source links
Find source filings Runnable
Triggered by: 990 PDF, annual report, filing record
12 stored filing years plus ProPublica source
Crunch money signals Runnable
Triggered by: program expense ratio, CEO salary, revenue, grants
70% program spend, health grade B
Compare alternatives Runnable
Triggered by: best charities, similar nonprofits, compare
4 peer options surfaced
Resolve leadership and board Runnable
Triggered by: executive team, trustees, officer pay
Use 990 compensation disclosures and external profile links.
Donation decision copilot Runnable
Triggered by: should I donate, give or compare, charity safety
Eligibility, money signals, sources, peer context, and next action.
Grantmaker due diligence Runnable
Triggered by: foundation review, grant risk, grantee capacity
Foundation-style packet across filings, finances, governance, and gaps.
Impact evidence finder Runnable
Triggered by: outcomes, annual report, cost effectiveness
Separate actual impact evidence from raw 990 financial cleanliness.
Room for more funding Runnable
Triggered by: would my donation help, funding gap, marginal impact
Revenue trend, runway, surplus/deficit, and source follow-ups.
Operator transparency diagnostic Runnable
Triggered by: how does my nonprofit look to donors
Profile, filing, impact, and transparency improvements to earn trust.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4K |
| Total Expenses | $22K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $196K |
| Transparency Score | 45/100 |
Search Intent Cockpit
Caribou Historical Society Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Caribou Historical Society is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Caribou Historical Society in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
12 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $3K and expenses of $22K.
Revenue and Expenses
Caribou Historical Society reported $3K in revenue and $22K in expenses, a deficit of $19K.
Executive Compensation
Officer, director, trustee, and key employee pay is reviewed from IRS 990 compensation disclosures when present.
Charity Score and Red Flags
45/100 mission score, 3 red flags, and 3 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.
Is Caribou Historical Society Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
IRS 990 Data Cockpit
Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes
Revenue Source Mix
Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.
Expense Deployment
| Program services | $15K (70%) |
Across stored filings, Caribou Historical Society shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
Decision Cockpit
One-Stop Donor, Research, and Peer Context Hub
| Decision Lens | Signal | What to Inspect Next |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Significant Concerns | Good filing record; 3 red flags identified |
| Mission spend | 70% to programs | Good |
| Financial durability | Grade B | 12 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Maine Composite Materials Applied Technology Development Center | Maine and category context |
Trust Check
Review legitimacy, deductibility, red flags, and filing consistency.
Open charity check →Peer Benchmark
Compare against real state and category peers.
Compare with Maine Composite Materials Applied Technology Development Center →All Maine nonprofits
Local and Sector Spokes
Move into this nonprofit's local market, category, and sector maps.
Caribou, ME nonprofitsFollow the Money
Jump into spending, compensation, rankings, and filing-year evidence.
State spending analysisState compensation analysis
Relevant rankings
Donation Decision Flow
From Trust Check to Better Alternatives
Verify
Significant Concerns. Check deductibility, filings, and red flags.
2Understand money
70% of spending goes to programs.
3Compare
Benchmark against Maine Composite Materials Applied Technology Development Center.
4Decide
Build a shortlist, compare alternatives, and review the latest filing before giving.
Alternative Shopping
Similar Nonprofits Donors Should Compare
Crabtree Neck Land Trust
Hancock, ME · $836K revenue · Score 95/100
Compare side-by-sideAmerican Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post
Sanford, ME · $1.1M revenue · Score 85/100
Compare side-by-sideAgamenticus Yacht Club Of York
York Harbor, ME · $325K revenue · Score 85/100
Compare side-by-sideAmerican Legion
Winslow, ME · $226K revenue · Score 85/100
Compare side-by-sideNext Best Actions
Keep the Investigation Moving
Research Workflow
Turn this Form 990 profile into a donor-ready report
Request a concise report for Caribou Historical Society with revenue, expenses, executive compensation, red flags, peer context, and IRS source links. You can also request CSV exports or watchlist updates for future filings.
Early access request only. Reports and exports are informational and based on public IRS records, not financial or legal advice.
Caribou Historical Society directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Caribou Historical Society
Caribou Historical Society (EIN: 16054897) is a nonprofit organization based in Caribou, ME. The organization reported total revenue of $4K and total assets of $226K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Caribou Historical Society's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Caribou Historical Society is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 51 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3K |
| Total Expenses | $22K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-19,243 |
| Total Assets | $200K |
| Total Liabilities | $5K |
| Net Assets | $196K |
| Operating Margin | -740.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 2.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 110.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Caribou Historical Society reported a deficit of $19K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 110.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 2.4% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Caribou Historical Society's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +25.6% | +59.8% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | -88.9% | -32.0% | +2.2% |
| 2021 | +498.7% | +13.2% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | +5.9% | +3.7% | -4.5% |
| 2019 | -82.3% | -1.6% | -5.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1975 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Caribou Historical Society with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Caribou Historical Society allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $19K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 2.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led organization. This is commendable for a small organization and helps minimize administrative costs.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Caribou Historical Society's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent and significant operational deficits (e.g., 202306: $2,598 revenue vs. $21,841 expenses)
- Expenses frequently exceeding revenue by a large margin over multiple years
- Low revenue generation relative to asset base and expenses
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Caribou Historical Society:
- No reported officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led structure
- Stable asset base over the past decade (around $200,000 - $220,000)
- Low liabilities in most years, suggesting good debt management
Frequently Asked Questions about Caribou Historical Society
Is Caribou Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Caribou Historical Society (EIN: 16054897) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maine. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 45/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $4K. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Caribou Historical Society spend its money?
Caribou Historical Society directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Caribou Historical Society tax-deductible?
Caribou Historical Society is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 16054897). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Caribou Historical Society's spending goes to programs?
Caribou Historical Society directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Caribou Historical Society located?
Caribou Historical Society is headquartered in Caribou, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 16054897.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Caribou Historical Society have?
Caribou Historical Society has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $4K in total revenue.
How does the Caribou Historical Society cover its consistent operational deficits?
The provided data shows that expenses consistently exceed revenue. For example, in 202306, expenses were $21,841 while revenue was only $2,598. This suggests the organization is either drawing down its assets, relying on significant non-operating income not captured in 'Revenue', or receiving substantial in-kind donations to cover its costs.
Is the Caribou Historical Society's current financial model sustainable?
Based on the consistent operational deficits where expenses frequently outpace revenue (e.g., $21,841 expenses vs. $2,598 revenue in 202306), the current financial model appears unsustainable in the long term without significant changes to revenue generation or expense management, or a reliance on a substantial endowment.
What is the primary source of funding for the Caribou Historical Society?
The provided data does not specify the primary source of funding. Given the low reported revenue figures (e.g., $3,544 latest revenue) relative to expenses, it's unclear if it relies on membership fees, grants, donations, or other income streams. Further detail from the full 990 filing would be needed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Caribou Historical Society showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Caribou Historical Society's revenue has declined by 65.1%, moving from $7K to $3K. Total assets decreased by 14.6% over the same period, from $235K to $200K. Total functional expenses fell by 3.2%, from $23K to $22K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Caribou Historical Society reported a deficit of $19K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $5K in liabilities against $200K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 2.4%), resulting in net assets of $196K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3K | $22K | $200K | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2K | $14K | $200K | $776 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $19K | $20K | $196K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $3K | $18K | $197K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $3K | $17K | $207K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $17K | $17K | $219K | $0 | — | — |
| 2017 | $30K | $16K | $218K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $12K | $20K | $201K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $6K | $27K | $209K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $20K | $24K | $230K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $20K | $22K | $233K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $7K | $23K | $235K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $22K, and assets of $200K (revenue +25.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2K, expenses of $14K, and assets of $200K (revenue -88.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $19K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $196K (revenue +498.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $18K, and assets of $197K (revenue +5.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $17K, and assets of $207K (revenue -82.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $17K, expenses of $17K, and assets of $219K (revenue -43.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $30K, expenses of $16K, and assets of $218K (revenue +148.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $12K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $201K (revenue +115.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $6K, expenses of $27K, and assets of $209K (revenue -72.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $20K, expenses of $24K, and assets of $230K (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $20K, expenses of $22K, and assets of $233K (revenue +173.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $23K, and assets of $235K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Caribou Historical Society:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Caribou Historical Society is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.