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Waterfall Arts

EIN 01-0528831 · Belfast, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE ARTS, DESIGN AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES THROUGHOUT THE BELFAST AND MONTVILLECOMMUNITIES IN WALDO COUNTY, MAINE.

Income
$584,659
Spending
$693,040
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
10
Volunteers
34

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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 37 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
  1. $292,674 spent. INSTRUCTION OFFERINGS IN CLAY, PRINT, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND PAINTING HAVE INCREASED AND CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.
  2. $67,833 spent. A LOCAL GLASSBLOWING ARTISAN DONATED THE CONTENTS OF HIS STUDIO TO THE ORGANIZATION AND WORKED WITH US TO CONSTRUCT THE ONLY FULL-TIME, COMMUNITY-BASED, PUBLIC-ACCESS GLASSBLOWING FACILITY OF ITS KIND IN MAINE. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS TO OFFER CURRICULUM IN THE STUDIO AND HAVE BROUGHT A UNIQUE OFFERING THE THE AREA. WITH OUR PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN MODEL, THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE CLASSES ARE NOW ABLE TO.
  3. $3,594 spent. THE KIDS AND FAMILY PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW AND OFFER ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS/CAMPS TO THE COMMUNITY.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 2003.

    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.