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Catholic Charities Maine

EIN 01-0280225 · Portland, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Catholic Charities Maine is one of the largest statewide, private, nonprofit, social service agencies in Maine and is committed to improving the quality of life for the individual, the family and the community. Catholic Charities Mission reads: "Inspired by scripture and the Church's social teaching, Catholic Charities empowers and strengthens individuals and families of all faiths by providing innovative community-based social services throughout Maine." It is this spiritual foundation that differentiates Catholic Charities from other social service agencies. The core values of respect, integrity, compassion, hospitality, excellence and stewardship guide all that Catholic Charities does. Catholic Charities Maine builds healthy communities, promotes family life, and enhances human dignity by providing quality, accredited services to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of individuals and families of all beliefs.

Income
$29.1 million
Spending
$29.3 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
476
Volunteers
322
Highest pay
$386,577, orthodontist

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $8.2 million spent. Behavioral Health Services performed include: 595 adults with mental illness received outreach and/or case management support to help them access health care and community services and fully live their lives; 203 at-risk youths and their families received intervention and support to prevent them from further involvement with the legal or mental health system.
  2. $12.5 million spent. Specialized Community Services performed include: 5,500 individuals and families in Aroostook County were provided with food assistance; 4,767 individuals were provided with oral health services; 884 refugees resettling in Maine received help finding housing, jobs, and referrals to available services; 881 individuals found compassionate support and/or received emergency services; 652 individuals and families dealing with issues related to drugs or alcohol addiction received support and counseling services; 1,771 elderly and disabled individuals were able to remain living independently in their home with the support of a homemaker or volunteer companion; 294 blind and visually impaired children received the resources services they needed to succeed; 173 children were provided quality childcare services, 370 asylum seekers were provided case management services through our Asylum Seekers Transitional Housing Program.
  3. $3.6 million spent. Elder Care Services include: Independent Support Services (ISS) and SEARCH. Serving 1,771 seniors or individuals with disabilities throughout Maine, ISS provided homemaker services that included in-home assistance with housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, and taking clients grocery shopping. The goal is to help these individuals remain functioning independently within their own home. Utilizing a corps of trained volunteers, SEARCH connected volunteers with 238 seniors in 8 counties to reduce their isolation and keep them living independently. Volunteers provided companionship, assistance with paperwork, socialization activities, and transportation for appointments and errands.
  4. $3.9 million spent. Various other community services

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.