Salt Pond Community Broadcasting Company
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WERU Community Radio is an independent, listener-supported and volunteer-powered media organization, whose mission is to provide diverse programming and community engagement to lift spirits, raise awareness and make connections. WERU is a "voice of many voices" that shares a wide variety of music, information, and perspectives with the community over the airwaves, internet, and mobile app.
- Income
- $711,560
- Spending
- $728,040
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 125
- Highest pay
- $64,223, general manager
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 66 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 97 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (1)
- $383,313 spent. Salt Pond Community Broadcasting operates WERU-FM Community Radio, which provides music, news and public affairs, and other cultural content. Programming ranges from diverse music (50 genres) to national headline news (5 prime time hours per week) to local public affairs programs. WERU meets a need in our region for an independent, community-based source of entertainment and information. The key to these diverse offerings is the importance of 125 volunteers, who are committed to both on-the-air and behind-the-scenes activities that give WERU its unique sound and local connection that reflects the community it serves. Volunteers receive free training, and no prior experience is needed.WERU's highly respected local and national news and public affairs provides a wide variety of topics and people. Topics associated with economic development, education, maritime issues, Native American issues, and public health are just a few examples of the width and depth of our local public affairs.2,100 individual and household members and 200 local businesses support WERU, amounting to over 87% of annual income.WERU's broadcast signal reaches a potential audience of 140,000 people in Midcoast, Downeast and Central Maine. WERU broadcasts 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, over the airwaves, internet, and on its mobile app. The radio station was founded in 1988.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.