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Maine Farmland Trust Inc

EIN 01-0528014 · Belfast, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Maine Farmland Trust protects farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
26.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
47
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$201,876, interim president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% 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 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $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

    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 (4)
  1. $2.9 million spent. FARMLAND PROTECTION: Permanently protected farmland through acceptance of donated agricultural conservation easements, purchase of agricultural conservation easements, and purchase, protection, and resale of farms. This year, MFT completed 10 land protection projects, protecting 1,837 acres of land.
  2. $629,026 spent. STEWARDSHIP: The Stewardship program is responsible for monitoring protected farmland to ensure that the conservation values of the property are protected forever. This period, MFT completed annual easement monitoring for 304 easements, covering over 45,215 acres.
  3. $588,292 spent. EDUCATION & OUTREACH: Provided workshops, presentations, regional meetings and displays at agricultural and related events to present both general and technical information about MFT's work. Hosted a variety of events to increase public awareness about the challenges farmers face and educate about MFT's work to protect farmland and support Maine farms through our programs and policy efforts.
  4. $2.4 million spent. FARMLAND ACCESS: Collaborated with external partners to address systemic and individual farmland access and transfer challenges. Operated FarmLink, which matches prospective farmers with landowners that have farms available for lease or sale. This period, through our FarmLink program, 642 acres of farmland remained in farming or were brought into production by new farmers through 5 farm links.FARM BUSINESS PLANNING: Directly supported farmers with business planning, offering training and technical assistance to farmers. This period, our farm business planning program served 65 unique farm businesses with 90 engagements in workshops, technical assistance and grants.CLIMATE: Improved viability of farms through increased understanding of their land and adaptation to climate risks and connecting to resources. This period, our Climate Resilience team supported 57 farm businesses with technical assistance support and/or climate resilience grants.PFAS RESPONSE: Directly supported farmers affected by PFAS by providing education, technical assistance, and grants to support farms affected by PFAS. This period, 11 farms were directly supported with PFAS related grants.POLICY & RESEARCH: Worked on federal, state, and municipal policy issues that affect Maine farms, and engaged in those policy areas that directly impact our ability to protect farmland, support farmers, and advance the future of farming. Conducted research and prepared reports and articles to inform MFT's policy work, support other MFT program areas, and educate policymakers and the public about issues affecting Maine agriculture.

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 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? 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2004.

    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.