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Maine Initiatives Inc

EIN 01-0484310 · Portland, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAINE INITIATIVES, A FUND FOR CHANGE, CULTIVATES SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THROUGH GRANTS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS IN MAINE COMMUNITIES.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
19
Volunteers
294
Highest pay
$151,411, executive di

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 99% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $2.7 million spent. GRANT MAKING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: PROVIDE GRANTS TO MAINE-BASED ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING SOCIAL, ECONOMIC,AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND HIGH VISIBILITY FOR THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR WORK.
  2. $173,678 spent. THE MAINE SHARE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN EASY WAY TO DONATE TO OVER 40 STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING EVERYDAY TO MAKE MAINE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. THROUGH PAYROLL GIVING, CONTRIBUTIONS AND DIRECT GIFTS, DONORS HELP THESE ORGANIZATIONS ACHIEVE GOOD HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SAFE COMMUNITIES, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, HUMAN RIGHTS, ANIMAL WELFARE, PEACE, AND MUCH MORE. YEAR-ROUND CHARITABLE GIVING THROUGH WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS PROVIDES THESE GROUPS WITH A STEADY FLOW OF DOLLARS TO KEEP IMPORTANT PROGRAMS GOING.
  3. $126,837 spent. MAINE YOUTH JUSTICE - FISCAL SPONSORSHIP - INVESTMENT IN A RANGE OF COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORTS THAT RESPOND TO YOUNG PEOPLE'S NEEDS. CAMPAIGN LED BY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED IN LONG CREEK AND DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

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 January 1994.

    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.