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Passes our checks

Boots2roots

EIN 47-3939212 · Freeport, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PARTNER WITH MILITARY MEMBERS TRANSITIONING FROM ACTIVE DUTY TO FIND MEANINGFUL WORK IN MAINE AND PROVIDE A PIPELINE OF TALENT TO MAINE EMPLOYERS.

Income
$775,365
Spending
$653,609
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
6
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$93,908, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $583,845 spent. BOOTS2ROOTS HAS ONE MISSION AND ONE PROGRAM AND THAT IS TO ASSIST MILITARY MEMBERS, VETERANS AND SPOUSES FIND MEANINGFUL WORK IN MAINE WHILE PROVIDING A PIPELINE OF TALENT TO MAINE EMPLOYERS. THE TRANSITION-TO-WORK PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE PARTS. 1) PERSONALIZED TRANSITION COACHING INCLUDING CAREER COACHING, RESUME COACHING AND JOB-INTERVIEW COACHING 2) NETWORKING WITH MAINE BUSINESSES AND VETERAN PEER MENTORS ACROSS THE STATE; AND 3) OUTREACH TO MILITARY COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY SO THE TRANSITIONING MILITARY MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN MAINE. BOOTS2ROOTS' TWO PRIMARY GOALS ARE 1) TEAMMATES FIND MEANINGFUL WORK WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF ARRIVING IN MAINE, AND 2) THAT THEY REMAIN IN THEIR FIRST POST-MILITARY JOB FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS. BOOTS2ROOTS ENJOYS AN OVER 94% SUCCESS RATE FOR EACH GOAL.HERE IS A RECAP OF OUR FINAL NUMBERS FOR 2025: 400 TOTAL TEAMMATES HIRED - 96 IN 20251013 TOTAL TEAMMATES ENROLLED - 250 IN 2025 1000+ NEW MAINE RESIDENTS AND FUTURE WORKERS 200+ MAINE EMPLOYERS HAVE HIRED OUR TEAMMATES $80 MILLION RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR MAINE SO FAR

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.