Mes Foundation
Mes Foundation shows recent deficit spending despite strong asset growth and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 10471533 · Alfred, ME · NTEE: B82 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.4M |
| Total Expenses | $319K |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Mes Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mes Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Mes Foundation
Mes Foundation (EIN: 10471533) is a nonprofit organization based in Alfred, ME, classified under NTEE code B82. The organization reported total revenue of $3.4M and total assets of $4.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mes Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Mes Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 34 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -11.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $278K |
| Total Expenses | $319K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-41,017 |
| Total Assets | $4.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $13K |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Operating Margin | -14.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 173.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Mes Foundation reported a deficit of $41K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 173.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Mes Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +236.4% | +7.2% | +16.2% |
| 2022 | -82.2% | -7.7% | -14.9% |
| 2021 | -55.0% | +15.1% | +5.6% |
| 2020 | -65.9% | -90.5% | +7.4% |
| 2019 | -6.2% | -8.6% | +10.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1992 |
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 Mes Foundation with a Mission Score of 70 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: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Mes Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% 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 deficit of $41K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Mes Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to officers, which is highly favorable for donor perception and suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure.
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 Mes Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., 2022 and 2023 expenses exceeded revenue)
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in summary data
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mes Foundation:
- No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive pay
- Strong and growing asset base, reaching $4,627,835 in 2023
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency and compliance
Frequently Asked Questions about Mes Foundation
Is Mes Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mes Foundation (EIN: 10471533) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Mes Foundation spend its money?
Mes Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Mes Foundation tax-deductible?
Mes Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10471533). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Mes Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Mes Foundation directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Mes Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 70/100 (Good), Mes Foundation is above average for NTEE category B82 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Mes Foundation located?
Mes Foundation is headquartered in Alfred, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10471533. It is classified under NTEE code B82.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Mes Foundation have?
Mes 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 $3.4M in total revenue.
Why have expenses exceeded revenue in recent years (e.g., $319,305 expenses vs. $278,288 revenue in 2023)?
The provided data shows a trend where expenses have surpassed revenue in the most recent filings (2022 and 2023). This could be due to strategic investments, use of reserves, or a temporary dip in fundraising, and would require further investigation into the detailed financial statements.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided summary data does not offer a detailed breakdown of how expenses are allocated across programs, administration, and fundraising. This information is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and would typically be found in Part IX of the IRS Form 990.
How does Mes Foundation sustain operations with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or that compensation for key personnel is categorized differently, or paid through a related entity. This is a significant positive for efficiency but warrants understanding of the operational model.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mes Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mes Foundation's revenue has declined by 75.2%, moving from $1.1M to $278K. Total assets increased by 67.3% over the same period, from $2.8M to $4.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 71.3%, from $1.1M to $319K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mes Foundation reported a deficit of $41K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $13K in liabilities against $4.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.3%), resulting in net assets of $4.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $278K | $319K | $4.6M | $13K | — | — |
| 2022 | $83K | $298K | $4.0M | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $465K | $323K | $4.7M | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.0M | $280K | $4.4M | $20K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $3.0M | $3.0M | $4.1M | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.2M | $3.2M | $3.7M | $209K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.3M | $3.2M | $3.9M | $260K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.6M | $3.5M | $3.8M | $242K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $4.2M | $3.6M | $3.5M | $180K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.1M | $1.1M | $2.8M | $201K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $278K, expenses of $319K, and assets of $4.6M (revenue +236.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $83K, expenses of $298K, and assets of $4.0M (revenue -82.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $465K, expenses of $323K, and assets of $4.7M (revenue -55.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $280K, and assets of $4.4M (revenue -65.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $4.1M (revenue -6.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $3.7M (revenue -1.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -9.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue -14.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +272.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $2.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Mes Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mes 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.