Sweetser
Sweetser maintains stable finances with fluctuating but substantial revenue and expenses, consistently filing IRS 990s.
EIN: 10211807 · Saco, ME · NTEE: P300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $67.1M |
| Total Expenses | $53.2M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $60 |
| Net Assets | $38.4M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Sweetser Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sweetser directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Sweetser
Sweetser (EIN: 10211807) is a nonprofit organization based in Saco, ME, classified under NTEE code P300. The organization reported total revenue of $67.1M and total assets of $52.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sweetser's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sweetser is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 57 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $55.4M |
| Total Expenses | $53.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$2.2M |
| Total Assets | $47.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $9.4M |
| Net Assets | $38.4M |
| Operating Margin | 3.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 19.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Sweetser reported a surplus of $2.2M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 10.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.7% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Sweetser's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -11.3% | -16.3% | +6.5% |
| 2022 | -6.0% | +3.4% | -15.7% |
| 2021 | +3.5% | -11.0% | +12.5% |
| 2020 | -11.0% | -3.3% | -11.9% |
| 2019 | +21.3% | +20.8% | +5.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1969 |
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 Sweetser with a Mission Score of 75 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, Sweetser 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 (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $2.2M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 19.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data indicates 0% officer compensation across all reported periods, which is highly unusual for an organization of Sweetser's size with annual revenues often exceeding $60 million. This suggests either that executive compensation is not reported under 'Officer Comp' in the provided summary, or that the organization's leadership is entirely uncompensated, which would be exceptional for a nonprofit of this scale.
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 Sweetser's IRS 990 filings:
- Unexplained 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size.
- Periods of negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue), such as in 202206 and 202006, which could indicate operational challenges if persistent.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sweetser:
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history (12 filings) demonstrating transparency.
- Substantial and stable asset base ($52,055,867 latest) providing financial security.
- Significant revenue generation, often exceeding $60 million annually, indicating strong operational capacity.
- Positive net income in several recent periods (e.g., 202306, 202106) showing effective financial management.
- Long operational history with consistent financial reporting over a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sweetser
Is Sweetser a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sweetser (EIN: 10211807) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Sweetser spend its money?
Sweetser directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sweetser tax-deductible?
Sweetser is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10211807). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Sweetser CEO make?
Sweetser's highest-compensated officer earns $60 annually. The organization reported $67.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Sweetser's spending goes to programs?
Sweetser directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Sweetser compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Sweetser is above average for NTEE category P300 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Sweetser located?
Sweetser is headquartered in Saco, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10211807. It is classified under NTEE code P300.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Sweetser have?
Sweetser has 12 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 $67.1M in total revenue.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues often exceeding $60 million. This warrants further investigation into the detailed 990 forms to understand how executive compensation, if any, is reported or if leadership is indeed uncompensated.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
While the overall expenses are provided, the specific allocation to programs, administration, and fundraising is not detailed in the summary data. A deeper dive into the full IRS 990 filings would be necessary to understand the exact spending ratios and assess efficiency more precisely.
How does Sweetser manage periods where expenses exceed revenue?
Sweetser has experienced periods where expenses surpassed revenue, such as in 202206 (Expenses: $63,577,196 vs. Revenue: $62,475,521). The organization likely draws upon its substantial assets ($44,853,027 in 202206) or reserves to cover these deficits, indicating a degree of financial resilience.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sweetser showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Sweetser's revenue has grown by 8.1%, moving from $51.2M to $55.4M. Total assets decreased by 6.1% over the same period, from $50.9M to $47.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 5.2%, from $50.6M to $53.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sweetser reported a surplus of $2.2M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $9.4M in liabilities against $47.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 19.7%), resulting in net assets of $38.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $55.4M | $53.2M | $47.8M | $9.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $62.5M | $63.6M | $44.9M | $10.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $66.5M | $61.5M | $53.2M | $13.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $64.2M | $69.1M | $47.3M | $17.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $72.1M | $71.4M | $53.7M | $17.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $59.4M | $59.1M | $51.0M | $15.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $52.6M | $55.9M | $48.3M | $13.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $54.4M | $55.6M | $46.9M | $12.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $59.1M | $56.4M | $53.3M | $15.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $53.8M | $52.1M | $57.3M | $19.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $52.4M | $51.5M | $52.3M | $18.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $51.2M | $50.6M | $50.9M | $19.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $55.4M, expenses of $53.2M, and assets of $47.8M (revenue -11.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $62.5M, expenses of $63.6M, and assets of $44.9M (revenue -6.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $66.5M, expenses of $61.5M, and assets of $53.2M (revenue +3.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $64.2M, expenses of $69.1M, and assets of $47.3M (revenue -11.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $72.1M, expenses of $71.4M, and assets of $53.7M (revenue +21.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $59.4M, expenses of $59.1M, and assets of $51.0M (revenue +12.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $52.6M, expenses of $55.9M, and assets of $48.3M (revenue -3.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $54.4M, expenses of $55.6M, and assets of $46.9M (revenue -7.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $59.1M, expenses of $56.4M, and assets of $53.3M (revenue +10.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $53.8M, expenses of $52.1M, and assets of $57.3M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $52.4M, expenses of $51.5M, and assets of $52.3M (revenue +2.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $51.2M, expenses of $50.6M, and assets of $50.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sweetser:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sweetser 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.