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Downeast Transportation Inc

EIN 01-0371992 · Ellsworth, ME

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FIXED ROUTE, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE IN AND AROUND HANCOCK COUNTY, MAINE IN ORDER TO GIVE RURAL COMMUNITIES IMPROVED ACCESS TO WORK, SHOPPING, MEDICAL. HUMAN AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
135
Highest pay
$123,292, excutive dir

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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (3)
  1. $639,527 spent. YEAR-ROUND COUNTY-WIDE BUS SERVICE - DOWNEAST TRANSPORTATION PROVIDES POPULAR YEAR-ROUND SHOPPING TRIPS TO ELLSWORTH AND BANGOR, AND IN-TOWN SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR BUCKSPORT, ELLSWORTH, BAR HARBOR AND SOUTHWEST HARBOR
  2. $3.8 million spent. ISLAND EXPLORER - AN ALTERNATIVELY FUELED BUS SYSTEM IN AND AROUND ACADIA NATIONAL PARK. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RURAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS IN THE U.S. THE ISLAND EXPLORER FEATURES TWELVE BUS ROUTES LINKING HOTELS, INN, AND CAMPGROUNDS WITH DESTINATIONS IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK AND NEIGHBORING VILLAGE CENTERS. CLEAN PROPANE-POWERED VEHICLES OFFER MOUNT DESERT ISLAND VISITORS AND RESIDENTS FREE TRANSPORTATION TO HIKING TRAILS, CARRIAGE ROADS, ISLAND BEACHES, AND IN-TOWN SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS.
  3. $649,004 spent. COMMUTER PROGRAM - IN 2003, DOWNEAST TRANSPORTATION BEGAN A VERY SUCCESSFUL JOBS ACCESS AND REVERSE COMMUTE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JACKSON LABORATORY, HANCOCK COUNTY'S LARGEST EMPLOYER. THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES FACED BY WELFARE RECIPIENTS AND LOW-INCOME PERSONS SEEKING TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.

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? Caution.

    Not 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 October 1982.

    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.