The Maine Heritage Policy Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO FORMULATE AND PROMOTE CONSERVATIVE PUBLIC POLICIES BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE; LIMITED, CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT; INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM; AND TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 13
- Highest pay
- $284,107, ceo
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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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, 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)
- $660,363 spent. EDUCATION MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND HAS DEVELOPED PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON DETERMINING HOW TO PROVIDE MAINE STUDENTS WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATION AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACADEMIC PREPARATION POSSIBLE, SO THAT MAINE STUDENTS MAY PROSPER IN THE COMPETITIVE, GLOBAL ECONOMY. MPIS RESEARCH-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY TO BUILD AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT EFFECTIVELY MEETS THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT WITH THE PARENT IN CONTROL OF EDUCATION DECISIONS FOR HIS OR HER CHILD. WE BELIEVE THE MODELS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION THAT ARE USED IN MAINE ARE OUTDATED, AND THAT THE EXISTING EDUCATION SYSTEM IS NOT ADEQUATELY RESPONSIVE TO THE CONCERNS OR INTERESTS OF PARENTS. MPIS LEADERSHIP IS WORKING TO GUARANTEE THAT PARENTS HAVE GREATER ROLES IN DETERMINING THEIR CHILDS EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE, SO THAT PARENTS CAN SELECT THE BEST INDIVIDUALIZED TEACHING AND LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE LONG-TERM VISION IS TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER OF STUDENTS BY ENSURING THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE HIGH-QUALITY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION, AND ARE PREPARED TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY IN COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. EDUCATION MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND HAS DEVELOPED PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON DETERMINING HOW TO PROVIDE MAINE STUDENTS WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATION AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACADEMIC PREPARATION POSSIBLE, SO THAT MAINE STUDENTS MAY PROSPER IN THE COMPETITIVE, GLOBAL ECONOMY. MPIS RESEARCH-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY TO BUILD AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT EFFECTIVELY MEETS THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT WITH THE PARENT IN CONTROL OF EDUCATION DECISIONS FOR HIS OR HER CHILD. WE BELIEVE THE MODELS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION THAT ARE USED IN MAINE ARE OUTDATED, AND THAT THE EXISTING EDUCATION SYSTEM IS NOT ADEQUATELY RESPONSIVE TO THE CONCERNS OR INTERESTS OF PARENTS. MPIS LEADERSHIP IS WORKING TO GUARANTEE THAT PARENTS HAVE GREATER ROLES IN DETERMINING THEIR CHILDS EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE, SO THAT PARENTS CAN SELECT THE BEST INDIVIDUALIZED TEACHING AND LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE LONG-TERM VISION IS TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER OF STUDENTS BY ENSURING THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE HIGH-QUALITY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION, AND ARE PREPARED TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY IN COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS.
- $311,926 spent. ECONOMICS AND TAXATION MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE PROMOTES GREATER PROSPERITY FOR WORKING MAINE FAMILIES. LIMITED GOVERNMENT, LOW TAXES AND REASONABLE AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS ON WHICH MAINE POLICY FOCUSES TO CREATE A VIBRANT PRIVATE SECTOR AND A STRONG, GROWING, AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY. MAINE POLICY WORKS TO REVERSE MAINES ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC DECLINE BY PROMOTING POLICY INITIATIVES THAT REINVIGORATE MAINES ECONOMY AND LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY. LIBERTY FOCUSED AND FREE MARKET IDEAS HELP ADVANCE THESE CORE PRINCIPLES THROUGH SOUND RESEARCH, AGGRESSIVE OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND THE PROMOTION OF A CLEAR POLICY AGENDA THAT HELPS SHIFT PUBLIC OPINION AND ESTABLISH ENDURING CHANGE IN OUR STATE.
- $301,401 spent. HEALTH CARE MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE HAS A VISION THAT EVERYONE IN MAINE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HIGH-QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. MAINE POLICY PROMOTES POLICIES THAT GIVE INDIVIDUALS GREATER PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OVER THEIR OWN HEALTH AND OFFERS MEANINGFUL INCENTIVES FOR CITIZENS TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN HEALTH LONG TERM. MAINE POLICYS SUPPORTERS BELIEVE THAT MAINE SHOULD HAVE GREATER COMPETITION AND MORE INNOVATION IN HEALTH CARE WITH NUMEROUS CHOICES FOR INSURANCE CARRIERS AND HEALTH CARE PLANS AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS. MAINE POLICY SUPPORTS INNOVATION AND POLICIES THAT HARNESS PERSONAL INCENTIVES TO LOWER HEALTH CARE SPENDING, REWARD CLIENT VALUE, AND PROMOTE COMPETITION BETWEEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. MAINE POLICY SUPPORTS TRANSPARENCY AND GREATER ACCESSIBILITY FOR CITIZENS TO PRICING AND OTHER FINANCIAL AND OUTCOME-DATA THAT IS RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. MAINE POLICY ALSO BELIEVES THAT MAINES BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED TO HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES TAKE GREATER OWNERSHIP WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE, SO THAT EMPLOYEES HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN BEING PRUDENT PATIENTS. HEALTH CARE MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE HAS A VISION THAT EVERYONE IN MAINE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HIGH-QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. MAINE POLICY PROMOTES POLICIES THAT GIVE INDIVIDUALS GREATER PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OVER THEIR OWN HEALTH AND OFFERS MEANINGFUL INCENTIVES FOR CITIZENS TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN HEALTH LONG TERM. MAINE POLICYS SUPPORTERS BELIEVE THAT MAINE SHOULD HAVE GREATER COMPETITION AND MORE INNOVATION IN HEALTH CARE WITH NUMEROUS CHOICES FOR INSURANCE CARRIERS AND HEALTH CARE PLANS AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS. MAINE POLICY SUPPORTS INNOVATION AND POLICIES THAT HARNESS PERSONAL INCENTIVES TO LOWER HEALTH CARE SPENDING, REWARD CLIENT VALUE, AND PROMOTE COMPETITION BETWEEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. MAINE POLICY SUPPORTS TRANSPARENCY AND GREATER ACCESSIBILITY FOR CITIZENS TO PRICING AND OTHER FINANCIAL AND OUTCOME-DATA THAT IS RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. MAINE POLICY ALSO BELIEVES THAT MAINES BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED TO HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES TAKE GREATER OWNERSHIP WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE, SO THAT EMPLOYEES HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN BEING PRUDENT PATIENTS.
- $118,858 spent. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE IS A NON-PROFIT, NONPARTISAN, RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO FORMULATE AND PROMOTE CONSERVATIVE PUBLIC POLICIES BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE; LIMITED, CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT; INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM; AND TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MAINE. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE WORKS TO EXPAND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND IS A STRONG VOICE FOR TAXPAYERS. WE BELIEVE IN AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND ACCOUNTABLE STATE GOVERNMENT AND WE WORK TO ENSURE HARDWORKING MAINERS KEEP THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR AND DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES FROM GOVERNMENT OVERREACH. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTES STAFF PURSUES THIS MISSION BY CONDUCTING ACCURATE AND TIMELY RESEARCH AND MARKETING THESE FINDINGS TO ITS PRIMARY AUDIENCE: THE MAINE LEGISLATURE, NONPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE STAFF, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE STATES MEDIA, AND THE BROAD POLICY COMMUNITY. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTES PRODUCTS INCLUDE PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES, A NEWS BUREAU, CONFERENCES, AND POLICY BRIEFINGS THAT ADVANCE INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM IN MAINE. MAINE POLICY RESEARCHES AND FORMULATES INNOVATIVE AND PROVEN CONSERVATIVE PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS FOR MAINE IN FOUR KEY AREAS: ECONOMICS AND TAXATION EDUCATION HEALTH CARE GOVERNMENT REFORM MAINE POLICY RELIES ON THE GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS, AND DOES NOT ACCEPT GOVERNMENT FUNDS OR PERFORM CONTRACT WORK. MAINE POLICY BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS HELPED BUILD A STRONG ORGANIZATION, WITH EXCELLENT PROGRAMS, EXCEPTIONAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES, OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, AND A GROWING MEMBERSHIP THAT HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED THE ORGANIZATIONS EXPANSION. IN EACH OF ITS PROGRAM AREAS, THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION THROUGH A STRAIGHTFORWARD, POWERFUL FIVE-PART APPROACH THAT INCLUDES: 1.FULLY ANALYZING THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE HOLDING MAINE BACK; 2.THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATING THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEMS AND IDENTIFYING PROVEN POLICY SOLUTIONS OFTEN SOLUTIONS THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING IN ANOTHER STATE; 3.AGGRESSIVELY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, MEDIA AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT THE IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS AND THEIR CAUSES; 4.RECOMMENDING PROVEN SOLUTIONS; AND, 5.UNCOMPROMISINGLY ADVOCATING INCLUDING GRASSROOTS AND OUTREACH FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS UNTIL THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED EVEN WHEN IT TAKES YEARS BECAUSE THE POLICIES WILL RESULT IN MAINE BECOMING MORE PROSPEROUS. FOR EACH OF THE FOUR POLICY AREAS LISTED ABOVE, MAINE POLICY HAS CLEAR AND MEASUREABLE POLICY OBJECTIVES. DOCUMENTED PROGRESS DEMONSTRATING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF POLICY OBJECTIVES AND INITIATIVES IS THE INDICATOR USED BY MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE TO MEASURE THE ORGANIZATIONS OVERALL IMPACT, EFFECTIVENESS AND SUCCESS. DONORS RECEIVE REGULAR PROGRESS REPORTS ON MAINE POLICYS ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS THE ORGANIZATION REALIZES ITS ULTIMATE GOALS OF ADVANCING PROSPERITY AND CREATING A MORE VIBRANT ECONOMY WITHIN MAINE. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE HAS NEARLY 4,000 DONORS (94 PERCENT FROM MAINE) AND OUR EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST HAS MORE THAN 21,000 SUBSCRIBERS.
- MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE IS A NON-PROFIT, NONPARTISAN, RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO FORMULATE AND PROMOTE CONSERVATIVE PUBLIC POLICIES BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE; LIMITED, CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT; INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM; AND TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MAINE. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE WORKS TO EXPAND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND IS A STRONG VOICE FOR TAXPAYERS. WE BELIEVE IN AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND ACCOUNTABLE STATE GOVERNMENT AND WE WORK TO ENSURE HARDWORKING MAINERS KEEP THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR AND DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES FROM GOVERNMENT OVERREACH. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTES STAFF PURSUES THIS MISSION BY CONDUCTING ACCURATE AND TIMELY RESEARCH AND MARKETING THESE FINDINGS TO ITS PRIMARY AUDIENCE: THE MAINE LEGISLATURE, NONPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE STAFF, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE STATES MEDIA, AND THE BROAD POLICY COMMUNITY. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTES PRODUCTS INCLUDE PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES, A NEWS BUREAU, CONFERENCES, AND POLICY BRIEFINGS THAT ADVANCE INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM IN MAINE. MAINE POLICY RESEARCHES AND FORMULATES INNOVATIVE AND PROVEN CONSERVATIVE PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS FOR MAINE IN FOUR KEY AREAS: ECONOMICS AND TAXATION EDUCATION HEALTH CARE GOVERNMENT REFORM MAINE POLICY RELIES ON THE GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS, AND DOES NOT ACCEPT GOVERNMENT FUNDS OR PERFORM CONTRACT WORK. MAINE POLICY BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS HELPED BUILD A STRONG ORGANIZATION, WITH EXCELLENT PROGRAMS, EXCEPTIONAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES, OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, AND A GROWING MEMBERSHIP THAT HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED THE ORGANIZATIONS EXPANSION. IN EACH OF ITS PROGRAM AREAS, THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION THROUGH A STRAIGHTFORWARD, POWERFUL FIVE-PART APPROACH THAT INCLUDES: 1.FULLY ANALYZING THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE HOLDING MAINE BACK; 2.THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATING THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEMS AND IDENTIFYING PROVEN POLICY SOLUTIONS OFTEN SOLUTIONS THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING IN ANOTHER STATE; 3.AGGRESSIVELY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, MEDIA AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT THE IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS AND THEIR CAUSES; 4.RECOMMENDING PROVEN SOLUTIONS; AND, 5.UNCOMPROMISINGLY ADVOCATING INCLUDING GRASSROOTS AND OUTREACH FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS UNTIL THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED EVEN WHEN IT TAKES YEARS BECAUSE THE POLICIES WILL RESULT IN MAINE BECOMING MORE PROSPEROUS. FOR EACH OF THE FOUR POLICY AREAS LISTED ABOVE, MAINE POLICY HAS CLEAR AND MEASUREABLE POLICY OBJECTIVES. DOCUMENTED PROGRESS DEMONSTRATING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF POLICY OBJECTIVES AND INITIATIVES IS THE INDICATOR USED BY MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE TO MEASURE THE ORGANIZATIONS OVERALL IMPACT, EFFECTIVENESS AND SUCCESS. DONORS RECEIVE REGULAR PROGRESS REPORTS ON MAINE POLICYS ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS THE ORGANIZATION REALIZES ITS ULTIMATE GOALS OF ADVANCING PROSPERITY AND CREATING A MORE VIBRANT ECONOMY WITHIN MAINE. MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE HAS NEARLY 4,000 DONORS (94 PERCENT FROM MAINE) AND OUR EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST HAS MORE THAN 21,000 SUBSCRIBERS.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.