Islesboro Islands Trust
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Islesboro Islands Trust is to enhance the quality of residents' lives through the preservation of open space, educate all residents as to the value of the island's natural ecosystems, and act as an environmental advocate on behalf of Islesboro and the surrounding Penobscot Bay region.
- Income
- $598,397
- Spending
- $330,755
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 50.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 143
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 50.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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 (3)
- $212,845 spent. Islesboro Islands Trust (IIT) continued agricultural efforts at the Blueberry Hill Preserve, reviving over 4 acres of native blueberry barrens and expanding a heritage apple orchard. We undertook other improvements to preserves and constructed a new .5 mile spur on our existing Broad Point trail, equaling 14.5 miles of trails. We also constructed 100 feet of raised bog bridging and another 100 feet of plank bridging through wet areas of the Broad Point and Blueberry Hill Trails.
- $29,328 spent. IIT continued to oppose development of an offshore wind facility on Sears Island, as well as related efforts to prevent industrialization of Sears Island.IIT also supported the creation of a Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper and continued to participate in and support the statewide Environmental Priorities Coalition. IIT was asked and became a member of the Maine Land Trust Network steering committee and continues to be involved in the Town of Islesboro Sea Level Rise Committee.
- $12,902 spent. IIT continued to provide engaging and substantive programming for all ages in the Islesboro community at no cost to participants. We maintained relationships with the Islesboro Preschool, Islesboro Central School, and Islesboro Community Center's Kids Club, as well as the Alice Pendleton Library and the Town of Islesboro Adventure.IIT provided regular Nature Walks & Talks on a variety of topics, as well as family-friendly and community-oriented workshops and event.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.
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 October 1985.
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 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.