Ellsworth Historical Society
Ellsworth Historical Society shows volatile revenue but consistent asset growth and volunteer leadership.
EIN: 10359659 · Ellsworth, ME · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $242K |
| Total Expenses | $31K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $712,172. |
| Net Assets | $474K |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Ellsworth Historical Society Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ellsworth Historical Society directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Ellsworth Historical Society
Ellsworth Historical Society (EIN: 10359659) is a nonprofit organization based in Ellsworth, ME. The organization reported total revenue of $242K and total assets of $712K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ellsworth Historical Society's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ellsworth Historical Society is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 47 years, with 3 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2014–2016). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -76.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2016)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $17K |
| Total Expenses | $31K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-14,259 |
| Total Assets | $475K |
| Total Liabilities | $801 |
| Net Assets | $474K |
| Operating Margin | -85.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 184.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2016, Ellsworth Historical Society reported a deficit of $14K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 184.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 3 years of filings (2014–2016), Ellsworth Historical Society's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -76.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | +28.4% | +14.0% | -2.8% |
| 2015 | -95.6% | -7.0% | -2.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1979 |
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 Ellsworth Historical Society with a Mission Score of 85 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ellsworth Historical Society 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 (2016)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $14K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that leadership is likely volunteer-based, which is highly efficient for an organization of this size with assets of $712,172.
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 Ellsworth Historical Society's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant year-to-year revenue volatility (e.g., $12,965 in 2015 vs. $291,551 in 2014), which could indicate an unstable funding model.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ellsworth Historical Society:
- Consistent asset growth, reaching $712,172, indicating strong financial stewardship.
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
- Relatively stable expense levels despite revenue fluctuations, indicating disciplined spending.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ellsworth Historical Society
Is Ellsworth Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Ellsworth Historical Society (EIN: 10359659) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maine. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 3 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $242K. 1 red flag identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Ellsworth Historical Society spend its money?
Ellsworth Historical Society directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Ellsworth Historical Society tax-deductible?
Ellsworth Historical Society is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10359659). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Ellsworth Historical Society CEO make?
Ellsworth Historical Society's highest-compensated officer earns $712,172. annually. The organization reported $242K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Ellsworth Historical Society's spending goes to programs?
Ellsworth Historical Society directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Ellsworth Historical Society located?
Ellsworth Historical Society is headquartered in Ellsworth, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10359659.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Ellsworth Historical Society have?
Ellsworth Historical Society has 3 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. Additional filing years may become available as the IRS releases new data. The most recent filing shows $242K in total revenue.
Is Ellsworth Historical Society a good charity?
Based on the available data, the Ellsworth Historical Society appears to be a well-managed organization with strong volunteer leadership (0% officer compensation) and consistent asset growth. Its financial health, however, is marked by significant revenue volatility, which could be a concern for long-term stability without further context on funding sources.
How does the organization manage its expenses?
The organization's expenses have been relatively stable, ranging from $27,117 to $30,900 in the earlier periods, despite large revenue swings. This suggests a disciplined approach to spending, though a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative costs is not available in the provided summary.
What is the trend in the organization's assets?
The Ellsworth Historical Society has shown consistent asset growth, increasing from $474,713 in 2016 to $712,172 currently. This indicates effective financial management and the building of reserves.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ellsworth Historical Society showing financial trends over 3 years of public records:
Over 3 years of IRS 990 filings (2014–2016), Ellsworth Historical Society's revenue has declined by 94.3%, moving from $292K to $17K. Total assets decreased by 5.5% over the same period, from $502K to $475K. Total functional expenses rose by 6%, from $29K to $31K. In its most recent filing year (2016), Ellsworth Historical Society reported a deficit of $14K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $801 in liabilities against $475K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.2%), resulting in net assets of $474K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $17K | $31K | $475K | $801 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $13K | $27K | $488K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $292K | $29K | $502K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2016: Revenue of $17K, expenses of $31K, and assets of $475K (revenue +28.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $13K, expenses of $27K, and assets of $488K (revenue -95.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $292K, expenses of $29K, and assets of $502K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ellsworth Historical Society:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ellsworth 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.