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Disability Rights Maine

EIN 01-0351782 · Augusta, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DISABILITY RIGHTS MAINE ADVANCES JUSTICE AND EQUALITY BY ENFORCING RIGHTS AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN MAINE.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
57
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$199,781, ceo

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (19)
  1. $581,774 spent. DEAF ADVOCACY & COMMUNICATION ACCESS PROGRAM - PROVIDES ADVOCACY, OUTREACH AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TO THE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, LATE DEAFENED AND DEAF-BLIND MAINE RESIDENTS.
  2. $577,803 spent. DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES ADVOCACY - PROVIDES ADVOCACY SERVICES FOR ALL MAINE INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES OR AUTISM. ADVOCACY INCLUDES ADVISING AND REPRESENTING INDIVIDUALS TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF THEIR HUMAN, CIVIL, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RIGHTS.
  3. $486,387 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES - PROVIDES REPRESENTATION, TRAINING, AND SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS WHOSE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OCCURRED BEFORE AGE TWENTY-TWO, WHO ARE EXPECTED TO REQUIRE LIFELONG SERVICES, AND WHOSE DISABILITY CAUSES FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS IN THREE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.
  4. $470,543 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS (PAIMI) - PROVIDES REPRESENTATION, TRAINING, AND SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.
  5. $379,029 spent. PSYCHIATRIC CENTER ADVOCACY - PROVIDES REPRESENTATION AND TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS RESIDING AT RIVERVIEW PSYCHIATRIC CENTER AND DOROTHEA DIX PSYCHIATRIC CENTER.
  6. $229,041 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (PAIR) - REPRESENTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE INELIGIBLE FOR THE PADD OR PAIMI PROGRAMS AND WHO HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST DUE TO THEIR DISABILITY. THIS DISCRIMINATION MAY BE IN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC PLACES, GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, ETC.
  7. $202,496 spent. INNOVATION PROGRAM - YOUTH SELF-ADVOCACY PROVIDES OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO YOUNG MAINERS LABELED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO INCREASE ADVOCACY-CAPACITY OF TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH.
  8. $188,147 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR BENEFICIARIES OF SOCIAL SECURITY (PABSS) - REPRESENTS AND PROVIDES TRAINING AND OUTREACH TO INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING DISABILITY BENEFITS FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO ASSIST IN PREPARING TO ENTER AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
  9. $179,911 spent. EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY - PROVIDES REPRESENTATION AND TRAINING FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND SEVERE DISABILITIES THROUGH THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING APPROPRIATE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.
  10. $146,270 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR VOTING ACCESS (PAVA) - PROMOTES FULL VOTING ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH TRAINING AND REPRESENTATION.
  11. $143,571 spent. OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) DISABILITY GRANT - ADDRESSES THE DISPROPORTIONATE SEXUAL VIOLENCE THAT PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EXPERIENCE THROUGH COALITION BUILDING, CONDUCTING A NEEDS/CAPACITY ASSESSMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLAN.
  12. $127,663 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR BENEFICIARIES OF REP PAYEES (PABRP) - MONITORS, INVESTIGATES, AND REVIEWS REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES TO PREVENT AND DETECT FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OR MISUSE OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S BENEFITS AND MAY ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE BENEFICIARIES TO ENSURE THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE BEING MET.
  13. $89,339 spent. HEALTH ACCESS - PROVIDES SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY TO REDUCE BARRIERS AND IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND OUTCOMES FOR MAINERS WITH DISABILITIES.
  14. $81,057 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (PATBI) - ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES IN ACCESSING HEALTHCARE, REHABILITATION, AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
  15. $74,179 spent. CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - THROUGH MAINE'S CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP) THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR AND PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE APPLYING FOR OR RECEIVING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR) SERVICES FROM THE MAINE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION. THE CAP ALSO ASSISTS PEOPLE WHO ARE APPLYING FOR OR RECEIVING FEDERALLY FUNDED SERVICES FROM THE INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER (ALPHA ONE) IN MAINE.CAP PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, OUTREACH, AND EDUCATION.
  16. $50,491 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS
  17. $43,516 spent. YOUTH SELF-ADVOCACY PROVIDES OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO YOUNG MAINERS LABELED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO INCREASE ADVOCACY-CAPACITY OF TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH.
  18. $31,505 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (PAAT) - ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ACCESSING ASSISTIVE DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THEY ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED.
  19. $16,791 spent. VOTING ACCESS

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1979.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.