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Sustainable Livelihoods Relief Organization

EIN 47-3131741 · Lewiston, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS RELIEF ORGANIZATION (SLRO) IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING NEW MAINERS TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE FUTURES BY PROVIDING HOLISTIC SUPPORT, FOSTERING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, PROVIDING RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITY AND PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS ARE BUILT ON MORE THAN JUST FINANCIAL STABILITY OR ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES; IT REQUIRES A FOUNDATION OF SUPPORT THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CULTURAL PRESERVATION, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH. OUR PROGRAMS, FROM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO ACCESSIBLE FOOD INITIATIVES, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, MENTORSHIP, COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS, ARE DESIGNED TO UPLIFT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, HELPING THEM TO FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING WHILE CREATING PATHWAYS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE AND OPPORTUNITY.

Income
$163,534
Spending
$248,534
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
7
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$14,750, 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $63,685 spent. FOOD EDUCATION AND NUTRITION PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT FOOD SECURITY THROUGH FARM VISITS AND COOKING CLASSES. IT TEACHES COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE'S EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE, AND HOW TO PREPARE HEALTHY MEALS WHILE HONORING THEIR CULTURAL TRADITIONS. IN 2024, 200 PARTICIPANTS HAVE RECEIVED COMPLETION CERTIFICATES, ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR DEDICATION TO THE PROGRAMS OBJECTIVES. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, WE HAVE PROVIDED OVER 600 MEALS TO THE COMMUNITY, ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY AND CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSE CULINARY TRADITIONS.
  2. $110,838 spent. YOUTH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE: THIS INITIATIVE HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE BECOME COMMUNITY LEADERS BY PROVIDING MENTORSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL-BUILDING. A KEY PART OF THIS IS THE "PATHWAY TO DREAMS" AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, WHICH CONNECTS YOUTH WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS IN VARIOUS FIELDS. ANOTHER TESTAMENT TO OUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUPPORT FOR ISUKEN, A SOMALI BANTU FARM-TO-TABLE WORKER-COOPERATIVE FOOD TRUCK. ISUKEN EMBODIES OUR COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE INTEGRATION. THIS WOMEN-OWNED COOPERATIVE SHARES THE CULINARY AND AGRICULTURAL TALENTS OF SOMALI BANTU FARMERS AND COOKS WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY. ISUKEN HAS BECOME A BELOVED FOOD TRUCK AT EVENTS, FARMS, FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT MAINE, PROVIDING FRESH, LOCALLY GROWN FOOD PREPARED LOVINGLY BY ITS COOPERATIVE MEMBERS.
  3. $67,940 spent. ADULT INTEGRATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (AIEP): AIEP SUPPORTS ADULT IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES. THEY OFFER RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, INCLUDING NEW PEER SUPPORT, REFLECTION & HEALING SESSIONS SPECIFICALLY FOR IMMIGRANT WOMEN. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND FEEL EMPOWERED. THE COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE OF ISUKEN, BASED ON THE TRADITIONAL SOMALI BANTU CONCEPT OF ISKASHITO, WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS FARMED AND WORKED TOGETHER. THESE STORIES HIGHLIGHT THE TANGIBLE AND PROFOUND IMPACTS OF SLROS WORK, DEMONSTRATING HOW WE ADVANCE IMMIGRANT FLOURISHING THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT, COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2018.

    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 September 2018.

    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.