Maine Childrens Home for Little Wanderers
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN, INSTILLING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 8.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 84
- Highest pay
- $127,927, executive di
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
Good: 73 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
- $883,024 spent. FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME (MCH), IS A STATE LICENSED OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND FACILITY THAT PROVIDES COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES. THE CENTER PROVIDES A WARM, WELCOMING, AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR CLIENTS TO RECEIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH CARE. ALTHOUGH WE SERVE MANY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, WE FOCUS HEAVILY ON THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF TRAUMA. WE UTILIZE THE SKILLS AND TOOLS OF TRUST-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION AND DIFFERENT MODELS OF PLAY THERAPY IN OUR WORK. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND THROUGH TELEHEALTH. WE ALSO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALL OF FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER'S STAFF MEMBERS ARE LICENSED CLINICIANS QUALIFIED BY THEIR CREDENTIALS, EXPERIENCE, AND PASSION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME (MCH), IS A STATE LICENSED OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND FACILITY THAT PROVIDES COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES. THE CENTER PROVIDES A WARM, WELCOMING, AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR CLIENTS TO RECEIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH CARE. ALTHOUGH WE SERVE MANY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, WE FOCUS HEAVILY ON THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF TRAUMA. WE UTILIZE THE SKILLS AND TOOLS OF TRUST-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION AND DIFFERENT MODELS OF PLAY THERAPY IN OUR WORK. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND THROUGH TELEHEALTH. WE ALSO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALL OF FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER'S STAFF MEMBERS ARE LICENSED CLINICIANS QUALIFIED BY THEIR CREDENTIALS, EXPERIENCE, AND PASSION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
- $314,688 spent. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME (MCH) IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND THAT PROVIDES BRAND NEW CLOTHES, WINTER ESSENTIALS, TOYS, BOOKS, AND GAMES TO MORE THAN 1,100 MAINE CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES ARE FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THIS PROGRAM THAT RELIES ON THE GENEROSITY OF SO MANY PEOPLE - DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS - ALSO CONNECTS FAMILIES TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AS NEEDED, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND PARENTING SUPPORTS. AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME, WE SEE THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM AS A WAY TO BRING A LITTLE RELIEF TO FAMILIES DURING A STRESSFUL TIME, AND AS A WAY TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH TOOLS FOR PLAY, CONNECTION, AND COMFORT. WE RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR HELP FROM OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREAS OF KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, BUT ALSO FROM THE ENTIRE STATE. DEPENDING ON IN-KIND DONATION LEVELS, THIS PROGRAM TYPICALLY SERVES BETWEEN 1,100 AND 1,400 CHILDREN. THIS PROGRAM UTILIZES APPROXIMATELY 65 VOLUNTEERS THAT CONTRIBUTE AN AVERAGE OF 1,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS PER YEAR. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME (MCH) IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND THAT PROVIDES BRAND NEW CLOTHES, WINTER ESSENTIALS, TOYS, BOOKS, AND GAMES TO MORE THAN 1,100 MAINE CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES ARE FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THIS PROGRAM THAT RELIES ON THE GENEROSITY OF SO MANY PEOPLE - DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS - ALSO CONNECTS FAMILIES TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AS NEEDED, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND PARENTING SUPPORTS. AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME, WE SEE THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM AS A WAY TO BRING A LITTLE RELIEF TO FAMILIES DURING A STRESSFUL TIME, AND AS A WAY TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH TOOLS FOR PLAY, CONNECTION, AND COMFORT. WE RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR HELP FROM OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREAS OF KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, BUT ALSO FROM THE ENTIRE STATE. DEPENDING ON IN-KIND DONATION LEVELS, THIS PROGRAM TYPICALLY SERVES BETWEEN 1,100 AND 1,400 CHILDREN. THIS PROGRAM UTILIZES APPROXIMATELY 65 VOLUNTEERS THAT CONTRIBUTE AN AVERAGE OF 1,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS PER YEAR.
- $132,696 spent. JOURNEY PROGRAM AT MCH PROVIDES A STABLE AND PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT WHERE TEENS AND YOUNG PARENTS CAN RECEIVE ACADEMIC SUPPORT, PRENATAL EDUCATION, PARENTING INSTRUCTION, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, CHILDCARE, AND GUIDANCE FOR ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS AND BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION. ACHIEVING FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL INDEPENDENCE IS A TREMENDOUS FEAT IN ANYONE'S LIFE. EARLY PARENTHOOD CAN MAKE THE JOURNEY MORE CHALLENGING BUT NOT HOPELESS. OUR AIM IS TO REMOVE AS MANY DETERRENTS AS POSSIBLE AND THEN TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS OF EACH YOUNG PARENT. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP YOUNG PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF POSITIVE PARENTING, TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST THEM AS THEY LEARN TO DEAL WITH TROUBLESOME ISSUES, AND TO PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT SO THEY CAN ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO MOVE FORWARD IN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THERE IS AN ON-SITE CHILD CARE PROVIDER WHO WORKS WITH THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE WHICH IS FUNDED BY STATE SUBSIDIES IF THE PARENT QUALIFIES OR WITH GRANT AND ENDOWMENT FUNDING. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION. JOURNEY PROGRAM AT MCH PROVIDES A STABLE AND PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT WHERE TEENS AND YOUNG PARENTS CAN RECEIVE ACADEMIC SUPPORT, PRENATAL EDUCATION, PARENTING INSTRUCTION, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, CHILDCARE, AND GUIDANCE FOR ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS AND BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION. ACHIEVING FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL INDEPENDENCE IS A TREMENDOUS FEAT IN ANYONE'S LIFE. EARLY PARENTHOOD CAN MAKE THE JOURNEY MORE CHALLENGING BUT NOT HOPELESS. OUR AIM IS TO REMOVE AS MANY DETERRENTS AS POSSIBLE AND THEN TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS OF EACH YOUNG PARENT. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP YOUNG PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF POSITIVE PARENTING, TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST THEM AS THEY LEARN TO DEAL WITH TROUBLESOME ISSUES, AND TO PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT SO THEY CAN ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO MOVE FORWARD IN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THERE IS AN ON-SITE CHILD CARE PROVIDER WHO WORKS WITH THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE WHICH IS FUNDED BY STATE SUBSIDIES IF THE PARENT QUALIFIES OR WITH GRANT AND ENDOWMENT FUNDING. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION.
- $219,156 spent. THE FAMILY ADOPTION PROGRAM PROVIDES LIFETIME SUPPORTS FOR FAMILIES EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY FOR THEIR FOREVER FAMILY. THE HAGUE-ACCREDITED FAMILY ADOPTION PROGRAM AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME (MCH) IS A COMPREHENSIVE ADOPTION AGENCY THAT OFFERS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ADOPTION TRIAD - ADOPTIVE PARENTS, BIRTH PARENTS, AND ADOPTEES. PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK STAFF MEMBERS GUIDE FAMILIES THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT LONG AFTER THE ADOPTION HAS TAKEN PLACE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS FREE ADOPTION INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS EVERY MONTH THAT ARE OPEN TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT WHETHER ADOPTION IS AN OPTION FOR THEIR FAMILY. MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME'S (MCH) CONNECTED FAMILIES PROJECT (CFP) SUPPORTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH A VARIETY OF EFFORTS, INCLUDING COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. MCH ADDED TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT (TCM) TO THE CFP ARRAY IN 2024. TCM IS A SUPPORTIVE SERVICE THAT HELPS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE DEALING WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, OR SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THROUGH THIS SERVICE, A CASE MANAGER WORKS CLOSELY WITH FAMILIES TO ASSESS THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS, CREATING A PERSONALIZED CARE PLAN AND GUIDING FAMILIES IN ACCESSING VALUABLE RESOURCES AND TREATMENT OPTIONS. DURING 2024 TCM BECAME THE ONLY SERVICE BEING PROVIDED UNDER CFP AND THE PROGRAM NAME WAS CHANGED TO TCM.
- THE FAMILY ADOPTION PROGRAM PROVIDES LIFETIME SUPPORTS FOR FAMILIES EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY FOR THEIR FOREVER FAMILY. THE HAGUE-ACCREDITED FAMILY ADOPTION PROGRAM AT MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME (MCH) IS A COMPREHENSIVE ADOPTION AGENCY THAT OFFERS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ADOPTION TRIAD - ADOPTIVE PARENTS, BIRTH PARENTS, AND ADOPTEES. PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK STAFF MEMBERS GUIDE FAMILIES THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT LONG AFTER THE ADOPTION HAS TAKEN PLACE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS FREE ADOPTION INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS EVERY MONTH THAT ARE OPEN TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT WHETHER ADOPTION IS AN OPTION FOR THEIR FAMILY. MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME'S (MCH) CONNECTED FAMILIES PROJECT (CFP) SUPPORTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH A VARIETY OF EFFORTS, INCLUDING COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. MCH ADDED TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT (TCM) TO THE CFP ARRAY IN 2024. TCM IS A SUPPORTIVE SERVICE THAT HELPS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE DEALING WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, OR SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THROUGH THIS SERVICE, A CASE MANAGER WORKS CLOSELY WITH FAMILIES TO ASSESS THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS, CREATING A PERSONALIZED CARE PLAN AND GUIDING FAMILIES IN ACCESSING VALUABLE RESOURCES AND TREATMENT OPTIONS. DURING 2024 TCM BECAME THE ONLY SERVICE BEING PROVIDED UNDER CFP AND THE PROGRAM NAME WAS CHANGED TO TCM.
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 April 1963.
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.
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