The Owls Head Transportation Museum
The Owls Head Transportation Museum: Soaring Revenue, Stable Leadership
EIN: 222590547 · Owls Head, ME · NTEE: A570 · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.1M |
| Total Expenses | $2.5M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $0 |
| Net Assets | $17.3M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is The Owls Head Transportation Museum Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Owls Head Transportation Museum directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Owls Head Transportation Museum
The Owls Head Transportation Museum (EIN: 222590547) is a nonprofit organization based in Owls Head, ME, classified under NTEE code A570. The organization reported total revenue of $7.1M and total assets of $19.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Owls Head Transportation Museum's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 52 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 12.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$2.1M |
| Total Assets | $17.4M |
| Total Liabilities | $136K |
| Net Assets | $17.3M |
| Operating Margin | 45.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 84.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, The Owls Head Transportation Museum reported a surplus of $2.1M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 84.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), The Owls Head Transportation Museum's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +48.0% | +2.1% | +24.9% |
| 2022 | -30.8% | +15.8% | -11.5% |
| 2021 | +126.7% | +18.1% | +33.2% |
| 2020 | +11.0% | -16.9% | +9.6% |
| 2019 | -2.2% | +10.4% | +14.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1974 |
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 The Owls Head Transportation Museum 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: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, The Owls Head Transportation Museum 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 surplus of $2.1M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as $0 across all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-based leadership or that compensation is handled through a separate entity not reflected in these specific filings.
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.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Owls Head Transportation Museum:
- Significant revenue growth from $1.2M in 2016 to $7.1M in 2023, demonstrating strong financial health and increasing public support.
- Assets have consistently grown, from $9.2M in 2016 to $19.2M in 2023, indicating effective asset management and investment.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities at $135,714 in 2023 against $19.2M in assets, suggesting strong financial stability.
- Consistent reporting of $0 executive compensation, which can be a strength if leadership is volunteer-based and highly committed.
- The museum has consistently generated positive net income (revenue minus expenses) in most years, contributing to asset growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Owls Head Transportation Museum
Is The Owls Head Transportation Museum a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Owls Head Transportation Museum (EIN: 222590547) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does The Owls Head Transportation Museum spend its money?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Owls Head Transportation Museum tax-deductible?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 222590547). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the The Owls Head Transportation Museum CEO make?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum's highest-compensated officer earns $0 annually. The organization reported $7.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of The Owls Head Transportation Museum's spending goes to programs?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Owls Head Transportation Museum compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), The Owls Head Transportation Museum is above average for NTEE category A570 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is The Owls Head Transportation Museum located?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is headquartered in Owls Head, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 222590547. It is classified under NTEE code A570.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Owls Head Transportation Museum have?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum 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 $7.1M in total revenue.
What does The Owls Head Transportation Museum do?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is a nonprofit organization in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector, located in Owls Head, Maine. It is classified under NTEE code A570.
How much revenue does The Owls Head Transportation Museum have?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum reported total revenue of $7,102,578. Based on 13 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are The Owls Head Transportation Museum's total assets?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum holds total assets of $19,248,235 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is The Owls Head Transportation Museum located?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is based in Owls Head, Maine.
What is The Owls Head Transportation Museum's EIN?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 222590547. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is The Owls Head Transportation Museum?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is classified under NTEE code A570 (Arts, Culture & Humanities).
Is The Owls Head Transportation Museum a registered 501(c)(3)?
Yes, The Owls Head Transportation Museum is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS. EIN: 222590547.
Does The Owls Head Transportation Museum file IRS Form 990?
Yes, The Owls Head Transportation Museum has 13 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202312.
What was The Owls Head Transportation Museum's revenue in 2023?
In the 202312 filing period, The Owls Head Transportation Museum reported total revenue of $4,545,442, total expenses of $2,459,286, and net assets of $17,394,452.
Is The Owls Head Transportation Museum's revenue growing or declining?
The Owls Head Transportation Museum's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $3,071,810 (202212) to $4,545,442 (202312), a +48.0% change. Based on 13 filings on record.
What is The Owls Head Transportation Museum's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for The Owls Head Transportation Museum covers tax period 202312. It shows revenue of $4,545,442, expenses of $2,459,286, total assets of $17,394,452, and liabilities of $135,714.
How much does The Owls Head Transportation Museum spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, The Owls Head Transportation Museum allocates approximately 75% of expenses to program services, 15% to administrative costs, and 10% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is The Owls Head Transportation Museum a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, The Owls Head Transportation Museum appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100 (Excellent). No red flags identified. 5 strengths noted.
What are The Owls Head Transportation Museum's strengths?
Positive indicators for The Owls Head Transportation Museum include: Significant revenue growth from $1.2M in 2016 to $7.1M in 2023, demonstrating strong financial health and increasing public support.. Assets have consistently grown, from $9.2M in 2016 to $19.2M in 2023, indicating effective asset management and investment.. Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities at $135,714 in 2023 against $19.2M in assets, suggesting strong financial stability.. Consistent reporting of $0 executive compensation, which can be a strength if leadership is volunteer-based and highly committed.. The museum has consistently generated positive net income (revenue minus expenses) in most years, contributing to asset growth.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does The Owls Head Transportation Museum compensate executives?
Executive compensation is reported as $0 across all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-based leadership or that compensation is handled through a separate entity not reflected in these specific filings. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
How transparent is The Owls Head Transportation Museum?
• The organization consistently reports 0% compensation to officers, directors, trustees, and key employees, indicating a volunteer-led or externally compensated leadership structure. • Financial filings are readily available and consistently reported, showing a clear trend of revenue and asset growth. • The museum's mission is clearly articulated and supported by its operational activities. Transparency assessment is based on the availability and consistency of IRS 990 filing data, spending disclosure, and governance indicators.
Given the consistent $0 reported for executive compensation, how does the museum attract and retain leadership with the necessary expertise to manage a growing organization with nearly $20M in assets and over $7M in annual revenue?
The consistent reporting of $0 for executive compensation suggests that the museum's leadership (officers, directors, trustees, and key employees) may be entirely volunteer-based, or their compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported on the standard IRS Form 990 in this section. This model relies heavily on dedicated volunteers or external support, which can be a strength in terms of minimizing administrative costs but also poses questions about long-term sustainability for a growing institution.
What specific factors contributed to the substantial revenue increase from $3.07M in 2022 to $7.10M in 2023, and how sustainable are these new revenue streams?
The significant jump in revenue from $3,071,810 in 2022 to $7,102,578 in 2023 (a 131% increase) warrants further investigation into the specific sources. This could be due to a major fundraising campaign, a large one-time donation, a highly successful event, or a new, robust revenue stream. Understanding the nature of this increase is crucial for assessing its sustainability and future financial projections.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Owls Head Transportation Museum showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Owls Head Transportation Museum's revenue has grown by 297.5%, moving from $1.1M to $4.5M. Total assets increased by 161.8% over the same period, from $6.6M to $17.4M. Total functional expenses rose by 74.9%, from $1.4M to $2.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Owls Head Transportation Museum reported a surplus of $2.1M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $136K in liabilities against $17.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.8%), resulting in net assets of $17.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.5M | $2.5M | $17.4M | $136K | — | — |
| 2022 | $3.1M | $2.4M | $13.9M | $114K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $4.4M | $2.1M | $15.7M | $88K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.0M | $1.8M | $11.8M | $342K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.8M | $2.1M | $10.8M | $164K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.8M | $1.9M | $9.4M | $106K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.7M | $1.8M | $10.1M | $55K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.2M | $1.9M | $9.2M | $38K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.8M | $2.1M | $9.4M | $68K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.9M | $1.9M | $9.7M | $44K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.4M | $1.5M | $7.3M | $37K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.6M | $1.7M | $7.0M | $51K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.1M | $1.4M | $6.6M | $18K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $17.4M (revenue +48.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $13.9M (revenue -30.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $15.7M (revenue +126.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue +11.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $10.8M (revenue -2.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $9.4M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $10.1M (revenue +41.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $9.2M (revenue -31.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $9.4M (revenue -55.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $9.7M (revenue +172.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $7.3M (revenue -8.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $7.0M (revenue +38.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $6.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Owls Head Transportation Museum:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Owls Head Transportation Museum 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.