Wayfinder Schools
Wayfinder Schools maintains substantial assets despite recurring operating deficits in recent years.
EIN: 10217639 · Camden, ME · NTEE: P70Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.0M |
| Total Expenses | $823K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1 |
| Net Assets | $7.8M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Wayfinder Schools Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Wayfinder Schools directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Wayfinder Schools
Wayfinder Schools (EIN: 10217639) is a nonprofit organization based in Camden, ME, classified under NTEE code P70Z. The organization reported total revenue of $1.0M and total assets of $8.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Wayfinder Schools's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Wayfinder Schools is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 73 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -3.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $672K |
| Total Expenses | $823K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-150,527 |
| Total Assets | $7.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $39K |
| Net Assets | $7.8M |
| Operating Margin | -22.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 113.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Wayfinder Schools reported a deficit of $151K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 113.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.5% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Wayfinder Schools's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +6.6% | +5.8% | +6.6% |
| 2022 | -20.2% | +4.8% | -13.9% |
| 2021 | +16.7% | +4.0% | +16.8% |
| 2020 | -61.7% | -13.5% | +0.9% |
| 2019 | +75.7% | -58.5% | +14.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1953 |
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 Wayfinder Schools 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Wayfinder Schools allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $151K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting either a volunteer executive leadership or that compensation is covered through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization with over $1 million in annual revenue and significant assets.
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 Wayfinder Schools's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operating deficits (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014)
- Unusually high 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, which may obscure actual leadership compensation or indicate an unsustainable volunteer model for an organization of this scale.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Wayfinder Schools:
- Strong asset base providing financial stability (e.g., $7,800,451 in 2023 against $823,021 expenses)
- Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $39,418 liabilities vs. $7,800,451 assets in 2023)
- Consistent filing history demonstrating transparency over time
Frequently Asked Questions about Wayfinder Schools
Is Wayfinder Schools a legitimate charity?
Wayfinder Schools (EIN: 10217639) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maine. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $1.0M. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Wayfinder Schools spend its money?
Wayfinder Schools directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Wayfinder Schools tax-deductible?
Wayfinder Schools is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10217639). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Wayfinder Schools CEO make?
Wayfinder Schools's highest-compensated officer earns $1 annually. The organization reported $1.0M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Wayfinder Schools's spending goes to programs?
Wayfinder Schools directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Wayfinder Schools compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Wayfinder Schools is above average for NTEE category P70Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Wayfinder Schools located?
Wayfinder Schools is headquartered in Camden, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10217639. It is classified under NTEE code P70Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Wayfinder Schools have?
Wayfinder Schools 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 $1.0M in total revenue.
Is Wayfinder Schools financially sustainable given its recurring operating deficits?
While Wayfinder Schools has substantial assets (e.g., $7,800,451 in 2023) that provide a buffer, the consistent trend of expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $823,021 expenses vs. $672,494 revenue in 2023) raises questions about long-term operational sustainability without drawing down reserves or increasing revenue.
What is the reason for 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is unusual for an organization of this size. It could indicate a volunteer-led executive team, or that executive compensation is reported under a different category, which would warrant further investigation for clarity on how leadership is compensated.
How does Wayfinder Schools manage its significant asset base?
With assets of $8,469,226 and a history of substantial asset holdings, understanding the composition and management of these assets (e.g., endowments, property, investments) is crucial, especially as the organization has experienced periods of operating deficits.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Wayfinder Schools showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Wayfinder Schools's revenue has declined by 30.3%, moving from $965K to $672K. Total assets decreased by 1.7% over the same period, from $7.9M to $7.8M. Total functional expenses fell by 54.3%, from $1.8M to $823K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Wayfinder Schools reported a deficit of $151K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $39K in liabilities against $7.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%), resulting in net assets of $7.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $672K | $823K | $7.8M | $39K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $631K | $778K | $7.3M | $31K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $790K | $742K | $8.5M | $30K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $677K | $713K | $7.3M | $33K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.8M | $825K | $7.2M | $36K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.0M | $2.0M | $6.3M | $224K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $784K | $2.0M | $7.1M | $116K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.0M | $2.2M | $7.8M | $136K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.7M | $2.0M | $10.8M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.2M | $2.0M | $9.7M | $818K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.4M | $1.9M | $9.2M | $206K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $965K | $1.8M | $7.9M | $111K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $672K, expenses of $823K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue +6.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $631K, expenses of $778K, and assets of $7.3M (revenue -20.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $790K, expenses of $742K, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +16.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $677K, expenses of $713K, and assets of $7.3M (revenue -61.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $825K, and assets of $7.2M (revenue +75.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +28.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $784K, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $7.8M (revenue -72.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $10.8M (revenue +216.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $9.7M (revenue -16.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $9.2M (revenue +42.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $965K, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $7.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Wayfinder Schools:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Wayfinder Schools 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.