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Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care

EIN 23-7323306 · Lewiston, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Promise Early Education Center's (formerly Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care) mission is to educate, engage and empower families, one child at a time.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$6.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
109
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$138,570, executive director

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: 72 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
  1. $4.1 million spent. Full-year, Part-Day Head Start, Pre-K, and Early Head Start Programs: Promise Early Education Center is the foremost early learning program in Central Maine that is dedicated to educating the whole child and preparing that child for success in school and opportunities beyond. As the Head Start Program for Androscoggin County, Promise Early Education Center provides a safe, engaging and empowering place for children to learn and grow; offers a results-driven educational curriculum taught by degreed, licensed teachers; and supports the engagement of parents and caregivers in their child's learning through partnership, communication, and a commitment to parents and caregivers as primary educators. Promise offers it all affordably, so all families can put their children first.
  2. $472,382 spent. Child Care Program: Promise Early Education Center strives to provide all children with a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment. Each child is treated as an individual in an inclusive community that values, respects, and responds to diversity. Promise focuses around early childhood education and the important role it plays in a child's overall development ranging from social and emotional, physical, cognitive, and language and literacy development. We believe that each child is special and unique. Our goal is to meet each child's needs at his/her own level and to offer support to the families who care for them.
  3. $756,122 spent. Food and Nutrition Programs: the Organizations offers food and dietary relief services through its Child and Adult Care Food Program ("CACFP"). The CACFP provides cash reimbursement to child and adult day care providers for serving meals and snacks meeting USDA standards to participants enrolled in care. Promise's food program recognizes and supports the important role childcare homes play in developing the healthy eating habits, growth, development, and overall wellness of young children. The Organization also assist in nutritional and affordable meal planning services.
  4. $427,654 spent. The Organization provides many other child and family care services to its community. Examples include sponsoring and providing family educators, who meet weekly with client-families at the family's home. Educators guide and engage parents, lead activities, and act as resources for questions, concerns, and support. The goal is to help parents build a healthy parent-child relationship. Visits include education and child development opportunities, social services referrals, and guidance and referrals for health, mental health, and nutrition concerns. We also offer group gatherings twice a month where families can meet other parents of young children, helping build a community of support. Promise also provides prenatal support and assistance to expectant mothers to support healthy pregnancies and childbirth, starting the path toward a future of possibility for babies right from the start. A family educator conveniently visits families in their home and helps them through prenatal coaching, nutritional counseling (including WIC benefits), and helps to coordinate attendance at local childbirth education and newborn parenting classes. We also provide information on establishing a medical and dental home, health insurance, and any other community resource that provides support to expectant families.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 September 1974.

    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.

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.