Creative Works
Creative Works shows consistent revenue growth and strong program spending with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 10280723 · Westbrook, ME · NTEE: J300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $37.6M |
| Total Expenses | $25.2M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $25 |
| Net Assets | $21.8M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Creative Works Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Creative Works directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Creative Works
Creative Works (EIN: 10280723) is a nonprofit organization based in Westbrook, ME, classified under NTEE code J300. The organization reported total revenue of $37.6M and total assets of $32.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Creative Works's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Creative Works is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 59 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $25.8M |
| Total Expenses | $25.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$572K |
| Total Assets | $25.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $3.2M |
| Net Assets | $21.8M |
| Operating Margin | 2.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 12.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 11.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Creative Works reported a surplus of $572K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 11.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 12.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Creative Works's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -6.3% | +0.3% | +3.8% |
| 2022 | +9.9% | +9.8% | -0.5% |
| 2021 | +11.8% | +2.0% | -1.7% |
| 2020 | +9.6% | +12.0% | +15.2% |
| 2019 | +16.4% | +17.2% | +6.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1967 |
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 Creative Works with a Mission Score of 92 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Creative Works allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $572K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 12.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Creative Works consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with revenues exceeding $25 million. This suggests either a unique compensation structure where top leadership is unpaid, or their compensation is categorized differently, warranting further inquiry for full transparency.
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 Creative Works's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low or 0% reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may warrant further investigation into how leadership is compensated if at all.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Creative Works:
- Consistent and significant revenue growth over the past decade.
- High percentage of expenses dedicated to program services (85%).
- Strong financial health with assets consistently exceeding liabilities.
- Positive net income in most fiscal periods, indicating sustainable operations.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to mission over executive pay.
Frequently Asked Questions about Creative Works
Is Creative Works a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Creative Works (EIN: 10280723) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Creative Works spend its money?
Creative Works directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Creative Works tax-deductible?
Creative Works is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10280723). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Creative Works CEO make?
Creative Works's highest-compensated officer earns $25 annually. The organization reported $37.6M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Creative Works's spending goes to programs?
Creative Works directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Creative Works compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Creative Works is above average for NTEE category J300 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Creative Works located?
Creative Works is headquartered in Westbrook, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10280723. It is classified under NTEE code J300.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Creative Works have?
Creative Works has 13 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 $37.6M in total revenue.
Is Creative Works a good charity?
Based on its financial filings, Creative Works appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong program spending (85% of expenses), consistent revenue growth, and reports no officer compensation, indicating a high dedication to its mission and efficient use of funds.
How has Creative Works' revenue changed over time?
Creative Works has shown significant and consistent revenue growth, increasing from $10.5 million in 2014 to $25.7 million in 2023, reflecting a substantial expansion of its operations and funding.
What is Creative Works' financial health?
Creative Works exhibits strong financial health. Its assets consistently outweigh liabilities (e.g., $25.0M assets vs. $3.2M liabilities in 2023), and it maintains a positive net income in most years, indicating financial stability and capacity for future growth.
Does Creative Works pay its executives?
According to all available IRS 990 filings, Creative Works consistently reports 0% officer compensation. This suggests that either its top leadership is unpaid, or their compensation is structured and reported in a way that does not fall under the 'officer compensation' category on the 990 form.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Creative Works showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Creative Works's revenue has grown by 128.3%, moving from $11.3M to $25.8M. Total assets increased by 53.4% over the same period, from $16.3M to $25.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 150%, from $10.1M to $25.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Creative Works reported a surplus of $572K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $3.2M in liabilities against $25.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 12.9%), resulting in net assets of $21.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $25.8M | $25.2M | $25.0M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $27.5M | $25.1M | $24.1M | $3.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $25.0M | $22.9M | $24.2M | $3.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $22.4M | $22.4M | $24.6M | $6.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $20.4M | $20.0M | $21.4M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $17.6M | $17.1M | $20.0M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $15.5M | $15.4M | $20.0M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $13.6M | $12.9M | $20.1M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $11.1M | $11.0M | $19.4M | $3.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $10.5M | $10.5M | $19.3M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $10.6M | $9.6M | $18.6M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $11.3M | $10.1M | $17.4M | $3.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $11.3M | $10.1M | $16.3M | $3.5M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $25.8M, expenses of $25.2M, and assets of $25.0M (revenue -6.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $27.5M, expenses of $25.1M, and assets of $24.1M (revenue +9.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $25.0M, expenses of $22.9M, and assets of $24.2M (revenue +11.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $22.4M, expenses of $22.4M, and assets of $24.6M (revenue +9.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $20.4M, expenses of $20.0M, and assets of $21.4M (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $17.6M, expenses of $17.1M, and assets of $20.0M (revenue +13.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $15.5M, expenses of $15.4M, and assets of $20.0M (revenue +13.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $13.6M, expenses of $12.9M, and assets of $20.1M (revenue +22.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $11.1M, expenses of $11.0M, and assets of $19.4M (revenue +5.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $19.3M (revenue -0.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $18.6M (revenue -6.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $11.3M, expenses of $10.1M, and assets of $17.4M (revenue +0.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $11.3M, expenses of $10.1M, and assets of $16.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Creative Works:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Creative Works 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.