Choices
Choices faces declining assets and recent operating deficits, raising sustainability concerns.
EIN: 10496745 · Corinth, ME · NTEE: P320 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $582K |
| Total Expenses | $603K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $44K |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Choices Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Choices directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Choices
Choices (EIN: 10496745) is a nonprofit organization based in Corinth, ME, classified under NTEE code P320. The organization reported total revenue of $582K and total assets of $48K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Choices's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Choices is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 30 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2019). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -2.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2019)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $582K |
| Total Expenses | $603K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-20,315 |
| Total Assets | $48K |
| Total Liabilities | $4K |
| Net Assets | $44K |
| Operating Margin | -3.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 8.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2019, Choices reported a deficit of $20K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 0.9 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 8.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2010–2019), Choices's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +8.1% | +1.6% | -29.6% |
| 2018 | -12.8% | -4.0% | -46.4% |
| 2017 | +34.9% | +8.3% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | -8.5% | -2.9% | -47.1% |
| 2015 | -19.5% | -3.3% | -28.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1996 |
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 Choices with a Mission Score of 65 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Choices allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2019)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $20K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 8.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is either unpaid or compensated through non-officer roles, which is unusual for an organization of this size.
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 Choices's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)
- Significant decline in total assets from $333,840 in 2014 to $47,687 in 2019
- Low asset base relative to annual expenses, indicating limited financial reserves
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Choices:
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 10 periods, indicating good compliance
- No reported officer compensation, suggesting a lean administrative structure at the top
- Stable revenue generation over the past decade, generally above $500,000 annually
Frequently Asked Questions about Choices
Is Choices a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Choices (EIN: 10496745) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Choices spend its money?
Choices directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Choices tax-deductible?
Choices is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10496745). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Choices's spending goes to programs?
Choices directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Choices compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Choices is above average for NTEE category P320 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Choices located?
Choices is headquartered in Corinth, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10496745. It is classified under NTEE code P320.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Choices have?
Choices has 10 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 $582K in total revenue.
Why have Choices' assets declined significantly over the past five years?
Choices' assets have decreased from $333,840 in 2014 to $47,687 in 2019. This trend coincides with several years where expenses exceeded revenue, drawing down reserves.
Is Choices financially sustainable given its recent operating deficits?
In 2019, expenses ($602,718) exceeded revenue ($582,403), and similar deficits occurred in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015. This pattern, combined with declining assets, suggests potential sustainability challenges if not addressed.
What is the nature of the 'Officer Comp=0%' reporting?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is unusual for an organization with over $500,000 in annual revenue. It suggests either a fully volunteer leadership or compensation structured in a way not reported as officer compensation on the 990.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Choices showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2019), Choices's revenue has declined by 22.3%, moving from $750K to $582K. Total assets decreased by 54.3% over the same period, from $104K to $48K. Total functional expenses fell by 2.3%, from $617K to $603K. In its most recent filing year (2019), Choices reported a deficit of $20K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $4K in liabilities against $48K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 8.1%), resulting in net assets of $44K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $582K | $603K | $48K | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $539K | $593K | $68K | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $618K | $618K | $126K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $458K | $571K | $127K | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $500K | $588K | $240K | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $621K | $608K | $334K | $14K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $798K | $713K | $324K | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $657K | $622K | $226K | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $729K | $631K | $191K | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $750K | $617K | $104K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2019: Revenue of $582K, expenses of $603K, and assets of $48K (revenue +8.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $539K, expenses of $593K, and assets of $68K (revenue -12.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $618K, expenses of $618K, and assets of $126K (revenue +34.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $458K, expenses of $571K, and assets of $127K (revenue -8.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $500K, expenses of $588K, and assets of $240K (revenue -19.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $621K, expenses of $608K, and assets of $334K (revenue -22.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $798K, expenses of $713K, and assets of $324K (revenue +21.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $657K, expenses of $622K, and assets of $226K (revenue -9.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $729K, expenses of $631K, and assets of $191K (revenue -2.8% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $750K, expenses of $617K, and assets of $104K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Choices:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Choices 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.