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Hancock County Planning Commission

EIN 01-0310087 · Ellsworth, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Hancock County Planning Commission advocates for and provides assistance to county and local governments by: - Protecting our heritage and resources,- Planning for the future- Promoting a sound economy for the people of Hancock County

Income
$412,315
Spending
$499,669
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
5
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$83,145, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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 (10)
  1. $150,881 spent. ME DACF:HCPC facilitates the regional coordination of climate change and sea level rise planning to multiple municipalities, and provided outreach materials as it pertains to public infastructure and sea level rise.
  2. $78,995 spent. Municipal Comprehensive Planning:HCPC provides professional comprehensive planners to perform consulting services to work with Municipal leaders, staff and residents through the development and/or update of their Comprehensive Plan.
  3. $73,966 spent. Economic Development:HCPC partners with the State of Maine's Department of Economic Development and the Governor's Office on Policy and Innovation to execute muncipal economic impact studies including housing needs assessments.
  4. $38,491 spent. ME DOT:HCPC works with the Maine Department of Transportation to assist towns with transportation assessment and planning.
  5. $23,260 spent. Broadband Study:HCPC collaborated with the Island Institute to plan the expansion of broadband internet service in rural Hancock County.
  6. $7,673 spent. Fiscal Agent
  7. $4,310 spent. HHW:HCPC works on county wide studies to find solutions for household hazardous waste solutions. HCPC helps towns in Hancock County secure funding to address household hazardous waste needs. HCPC offers household hazardous waste disposal days from time to time. In FY2025 HCPC staff secured funding to launch a county wide needs assessment. The needs assessment was paused due to staff turnover
  8. $774 spent. NOAA:HCPC partners with NOAA to execute climate impact and resislency studies in Hancock County. HCPC assesses municipalities infastructure and ability to mitigate climate change.
  9. $483 spent. GIS Services:HCPC offers contract GIS services to towns and organizations in Hancock County. In FY2025 HCPC engaged in negotiations with other non profits, including local land trusts, to offer GIS services contracts were finalized.
  10. $442 spent. Community Resilience:HCPC works on Community Resilience Partnerships for both climate change mitigation and resiliency projects, and economic development. In FY2025 HCPC partnered with several local towns, NOAA and the Governor's Office on Policy and Innovation on studies and implementation plans.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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? 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.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 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 November 1991.

    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.