Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WOODLAWN NURTURES CURIOSITY AND A SENSE OF PLACE BY PROMOTING DOWNEAST MAINE'S CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES. UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF THE HANCOCK COUNTY TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC RESERVATIONS, WOODLAWN OFFERS THE PEOPLE OF HANCOCK COUNTY AND BEYOND, OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION AND EDUCATION ON A 180 ACRE HISTORIC ESTATE CONSISTING OF A HISTORIC HOUSE, A CARRIAGE EXHIBIT BUILDING, A FORMAL GARDEN, FIELDS, AND TRAILS. ANNUALLY, WOODLAWN EXCEEDS 10,000 PERSON VISITS TO THE GROUNDS AND OVER 1000 PEOPLE TOUR THE MUSEUM. YEAR-ROUND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE TWO MILES OF WALKING TRAILS WITH A SEASONAL STORY TRAIL FOR CHILDREN.OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CROQUET TOURNAMENTS, FAMILY FIELD DAYS, AFTERNOON TEAS, AND MUSICAL & THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES ON THE LAWN. IN WINTER, SLEDDING AND SKATING ARE POPULAR FREE ACTIVITIES WHEN THE WEATHER PERMITS, AND IN 2023 HOLIDAY WALK-THROUGH LIGHT TRAIL WAS INTRODUCED. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORT
- Income
- $975,303
- Spending
- $731,728
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 19.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 90
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $654,567 spent. PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC FACILITIES FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE MUSEUM WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH OPTIONS FOR BOTH SELF DIRECTED AND GUIDED TOURS. A SPECIAL HANCOCK COUNTY RESIDENTS FREE WEEKEND WRAPPED UP THE SEASON. THE TRAILS AND GROUNDS CONTINUE TO BE USED AND ENJOYED FREE OF CHARGE IN ALL SEASONS. WALKING PATHS THROUGH THE FORMER HAYFIELDS ATTRACTING VISITORS AND ADD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO THE HISTORIC PROPERTY. CROQUET WAS AGAIN A SEASONAL HIGHLIGHT FOR MANY. SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDED FAMILY FIELD DAY, AND FORESTRY FESTIVAL. A "SLED LIBRARY" WAS IMPLEMENTED SO THAT ANY FAMILY COULD COME AND ENJOY THAT WINTER ACTIVITY. THE SKATING POND ATTRACTED MANY ENTHUSIASTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1949.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.