Margaret Chase Smith Foundation
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation maintains stable assets and zero officer compensation amidst fluctuating revenues.
EIN: 10388680 · Portland, ME · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.8M |
| Total Expenses | $605K |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $14.6M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Margaret Chase Smith Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Margaret Chase Smith Foundation
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation (EIN: 10388680) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $4.8M and total assets of $16.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Margaret Chase Smith Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 42 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $716K |
| Total Expenses | $605K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$112K |
| Total Assets | $14.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $14.6M |
| Operating Margin | 15.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 289.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Margaret Chase Smith Foundation reported a surplus of $112K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 289.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Margaret Chase Smith Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -472.2% | -1.9% | -18.6% |
| 2021 | +13.9% | +16.7% | +16.0% |
| 2020 | -44.9% | -7.4% | +8.8% |
| 2019 | -56.8% | -1.9% | +23.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1984 |
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 Margaret Chase Smith Foundation 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: 8%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 2%
According to IRS 990 filings, Margaret Chase Smith Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 8%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 2%. With 90% 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 $112K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is either uncompensated or compensated through non-officer categories, which is highly favorable for directing resources to the mission.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Margaret Chase Smith Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Negative revenue reported in 202212 period ($-557,538) without immediate explanation in provided data.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Margaret Chase Smith Foundation:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency.
- Strong and growing asset base, from $10.3 million in 2011 to $14.5 million in 2023.
- Very low to negligible liabilities, demonstrating strong financial health.
- Consistent filing history of IRS Form 990s, indicating good transparency.
- Stable expense management, typically between $500k-$700k annually, despite revenue fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Margaret Chase Smith Foundation
Is Margaret Chase Smith Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Margaret Chase Smith Foundation (EIN: 10388680) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Margaret Chase Smith Foundation spend its money?
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Margaret Chase Smith Foundation tax-deductible?
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10388680). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Margaret Chase Smith Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation directs 90% to programs, 2% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Margaret Chase Smith Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Margaret Chase Smith Foundation is above average for NTEE category T20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Margaret Chase Smith Foundation located?
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation is headquartered in Portland, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10388680. It is classified under NTEE code T20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Margaret Chase Smith Foundation have?
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation 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 $4.8M in total revenue.
Is the Margaret Chase Smith Foundation financially stable?
Yes, the foundation appears financially stable. Its assets have grown from $10.3 million in 2011 to $14.5 million in 2023, and liabilities have been consistently negligible, indicating a strong balance sheet.
How does the foundation manage executive compensation?
The foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation in all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-led executive team or compensation structured in a way that does not fall under 'officer compensation'.
What caused the negative revenue in 2022?
The filing for Period 202212 shows a revenue of $-557,538. Without further detail from the 990, this could be due to investment losses, significant asset write-downs, or other non-operating adjustments.
Is the foundation efficient in its spending?
Yes, the foundation appears efficient. With 0% officer compensation and consistent expense levels relative to its asset base, it suggests a high proportion of funds are directed towards its programs and operational needs.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Margaret Chase Smith Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Margaret Chase Smith Foundation's revenue has grown by 41.5%, moving from $506K to $716K. Total assets increased by 40.9% over the same period, from $10.3M to $14.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 63.5%, from $1.7M to $605K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Margaret Chase Smith Foundation reported a surplus of $112K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $14.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $14.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $716K | $605K | $14.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $-557,538 | $592K | $13.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $150K | $603K | $16.1M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $132K | $517K | $13.8M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $239K | $559K | $12.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $552K | $570K | $10.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $627K | $648K | $10.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.3M | $680K | $12.0M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $572K | $666K | $10.4M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $506K | $1.7M | $10.3M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $716K, expenses of $605K, and assets of $14.6M.
- 2022: Revenue of $-557,538, expenses of $592K, and assets of $13.1M (revenue -472.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $150K, expenses of $603K, and assets of $16.1M (revenue +13.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $132K, expenses of $517K, and assets of $13.8M (revenue -44.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $239K, expenses of $559K, and assets of $12.7M (revenue -56.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $552K, expenses of $570K, and assets of $10.3M (revenue -11.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $627K, expenses of $648K, and assets of $10.9M (revenue -51.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $680K, and assets of $12.0M (revenue +126.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $572K, expenses of $666K, and assets of $10.4M (revenue +12.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $506K, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $10.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Margaret Chase Smith Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Margaret Chase Smith Foundation 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.