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Maine Childrens Alliance

EIN 22-2546643 · Augusta, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MAINE CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE ADVOCATES FOR SOUND PUBLIC POLICIES TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL MAINE'S CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES.

Income
$534,268
Spending
$650,687
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
8
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$55,518, executive di

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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 97 out of 100.

  • 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $244,076 spent. EARLY CARE & EDUCATION PROJECTS- MCA WORKS TO ENSURE THAT MAINE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM IS STRUCTURED WITH POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT BEST SERVE MAINE'S VULNERABLE INFANTS AND TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. POLICY PRIORITIES FOCUSED ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CARE AND EDUCATION, IMPROVING WAGES AND SUPPORTS FOR EARLY CARE PROVIDERS, AND IMPROVING MAINE'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SYSTEM FOR EARLY INTERVENTION AND EARLY SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES. MCA IS ENGAGED IN BUILDING COALITIONS OF PARENT ADVOCATES FOR HEAD START AND EARLY INTERVENTION. MCA IS A LEADER OF THE RIGHT FROM THE START COALITION.
  2. $74,285 spent. KIDS COUNT - MAINE KIDS COUNT IS PART OF THE NATIONAL KIDS COUNT NETWORK, FUNDED BY THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION TO TRACK THE STATUS OF CHILDREN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. IN 2022, MCA UPDATED KIDS COUNT INDICATORS, STARTED WORK ON THE 2023 MAINE DATA BOOK, AND UPDATED 16 COUNTY PROFILES ABOUT CHILD WELL-BEING. MCA PRODUCED ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEGISLATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT KEY ISSUES RELATED TO CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING.
  3. $188,504 spent. CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS: MCA WORKED TO ADVANCE EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE HEALTH POLICY SOLUTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, CHILD WELFARE REFORMS, MATERNAL HEALTH, AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH. IN 2022, MCA TOOK ON LEADERSHIP OF THE CHILD WELFARE ACTION NETWORK, WHICH PRODUCED A FRAMEWORK OF POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. MCA IS ACTIVE IN THE HEALTH CARE FOR ME COALITION.
  4. $41,217 spent. GENERAL ADVOCACY & LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT - MCA PROVIDES DATA AND POLICY ANALYSIS TO STATE POLICYMAKERS ON ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN, SUCH AS: HEALTH (PHYSICAL, ORAL, MENTAL), THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, HEAD START, HOME VISITATION, CHILDCARE, HUNGER, FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND CHILD SAFETY. MCA PROVIDES COMMUNICATIONS ON ISSUES THROUGH BLOGS, NEWSLETTERS, AND ACTION ALERTS.
  5. GENERAL ADVOCACY & LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT - MCA PROVIDES DATA AND POLICY ANALYSIS TO STATE POLICYMAKERS ON ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN, SUCH AS: HEALTH (PHYSICAL, ORAL, MENTAL), THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, HEAD START, HOME VISITATION, CHILDCARE, HUNGER, FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND CHILD SAFETY. MCA PROVIDES COMMUNICATIONS ON ISSUES THROUGH BLOGS, NEWSLETTERS, AND ACTION ALERTS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 1984.

    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.

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