Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Providing emergency food and shelter to homeless and displaced persons in central Maine.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -3.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 50
- Volunteers
- 125
- Highest pay
- $138,966, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $303,157 spent. Targeted case management/housing navigation-targeted case management and housing navigation are provided to all current shelter guests as well as many former shelter guests. Our system employs a targeted case manager and a housing navigator to each guest at the shelter. The TCM assists with community resources addressing mental health, physical health, benefits, employment, finances, etc. and the housing navigator focuses on assisting with housing benefits, landlord relationships, housing searches, and housing stability.
- $202,104 spent. Youth empowerment supports (YES) - The youth empowerment program (YES)is for youth (ages 18-24) who are homeless or who are in danger of becoming homeless. We serve lower-to no-income individuals that are between the ages of 18 and 24. Through this program, we have provided youth with clean, safe and stable housing for four years now. The goal of the program is for our young people to achieve personal goals related to education and work. We also want to see them showing tenant responsibility through fiscal accountability and care of the unit. Each YES tenant has an apartment in which they reside on the second floor of the MMHSS facility in Waterville. Tenants are provided with an onsite, full-time, targeted case manager and a youth resident specialist. YES participants learn and grow through the program until they have the necessary tools to succeed in living independently in the community. Many of these individuals go on to achieve higher education goals, as well as career goals.
- $1.4 million spent. Emergency Shelter - Our 19 Colby St location has been low barrier since the beginning of the pandemic and remains so today. A low barrier shelter is a shelter that has very little to no requirements for entry, including sobriety, drug use, and convictions. Low barrier shelters are preferred by HUD and are considered best practice for shelter provision. Our 19 Colby St location is a 48 bed shelter. We continue to improve the way we provide low barrier shelter and are currently working on a harm reduction and trauma informed supports. We have a warming center, serviced by shelter staff while maintaining our low barrier shelter. The warming center housed 2 to 15 guests in our conference room, lobby, and office spaces on a nightly basis.
- Diversion Program - Our Diversion Program is an effective method of homeless prevention comprised of immediate assistance with problem solving the imminent loss of stable housing. In many cases this may include guidance and or mediation with landlords, referrals to legal resources, traditional benefits, family interventions, and case management. Diversion may also include a short burst of financial assistance that can keep a household housed such as one time rent payments, bill payments, assistance with household groceries, among other needs. Temporary Rapid Rehousing Program (TRRP) - The Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter is introducing the innovative rapid rehousing program, aimed at swiftly aiding individuals and families to transition out of homelessness and reintegrate into the community, thereby preventing future episodes of homelessness. This evidence-based intervention, developed within the housing first model, focuses on promptly securing housing for participants and offering comprehensive support to ensure housing stability. Upon enrollment in the program, participants will receive TRRP case management and navigation/landlord engagement services, tailored to assess their immediate needs and address any obstacles hindering their ability to secure and sustain housing. The core elements of the rapid rehousing program encompass housing identification, assistance with moving, rent support, and TRRP case management services. Notably, these services are independent of Mainecare, allowing participants to concurrently maintain external case management support.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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