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Southern Maine Agency on Aging

EIN 01-0360259 · Biddeford, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is the focal point in Cumberland and York counties for resources, services and information to empower older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live to their fullest potential.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$8.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
83
Volunteers
435
Highest pay
$199,651, 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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.6 million spent. Nutrition program for the elderly provides meals to 4,000 older adults at congregate sites and home delivered meals.
  2. $408,157 spent. Community Services provides approximately 9,500 Information & Referral contacts to over 6,200 older and disabled adults.
  3. $3.7 million spent. We extended our adult day program for older adults living with memory loss from one to two locations, Biddeford and Springvale. We continued to expand our service delivery offerings for many of our services, including Family Caregiver Support Groups and Training, Health and Wellness Classes, Health Insurance Counseling, Information and Assistance, Money Minders, and Nutrition Counseling.We reintroduced the Independent Housing with Services Program (IHSP). The IHSP provides comprehensive services that are delivered on site to help individuals live as independently as possible. Services include service coordination, care management, housekeeping, chore assistance services, and other services to help individuals maintain independence. Vaccine initiative is a collaboration of the five Maine Agencies on Aging to educate Mainers over 60 years old about the importance of staying up-to-date on immunizations, including COVID-19, Flu, RSV and Pneumonia vaccines. The Agencies on Aging offer clinics in communities across Maine to help Mainers get immunized. This initiative was completed in FY25.Community Connections is a pilot program and is a collaboration of the five Maine Agencies on Aging to support people residing in the community and help prevent or delay use of institutional services. We introduced the Respite Care Companion Program with grant funding from the National Community Care Corps. Volunteers are matched with older adults who have difficulty living independently and their family caregivers. During consistent, weekly visits from the volunteer, care recipients enjoy social connection while caregivers receive respite to improve their mental, emotional, physical, and financial health, and their ability continue supporting their loved ones at home.The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) grant has supported the implementation of several new dementia-focused services at SMAA. The ADPI-funded Compass Program is a new care coordination service providing education, tools, and resource navigation for the caregivers of individuals living with dementia. The grant also funds expanded dementia-competency training for our staff, volunteers, and community partners; these trainings include a 3-part series for Direct Support Professionals serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as Gatekeeper Training for our Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers. Additionally, the ADPI grant has supported the development of a new Adult Day Program at our Portland Campus, which provides structured support and socialization for individuals living with dementia, as well as respite for caregivers.

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 April 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.