Lifeflight Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The LifeFlight Foundation (LFF) is an independent nonprofit organization governed by a Board comprised of business, community, and medical leaders from across Maine. The Foundation secures resources for Maine's major air medical and critical care transport needs including: infrastructure such as hospital helipads, airport runways and fueling systems, aviation weather systems, instrument flight systems, communication systems; the capital acquisition of specialized medical equipment and technology; the capital acquisition of medical aircraft and ground vehicles; and the provision of continuing medical education for hospital and EMS personnel throughout Maine.Additionally, the Foundation is responsible for raising statewide awareness about LifeFlight of Maine and the Foundation, which it accomplishes through a comprehensive media and communication strategy and strategic partnerships.
- Income
- $4.5 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- 14.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 74%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $204,838, 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (2)
- $2.4 million spent. In FY2025 (July 2024-June 2025), the Foundation raised more than $3.3 million dollars to support the capital needs of LifeFlight of Maine. In that time period, the Foundation transferred $2.2 million to LifeFlight to meet those needs. Purchases included: a fixed wing avionics package, support for the Critical Care Academy, new and upgraded medical equipment, crew uniforms and equipment and salary support for the Access and Elevate (mental health & wellness) Coordinator positions.
- The LifeFlight Foundation is responsible for the planning and execution of all marketing and communication efforts for both the Foundation and LifeFlight of Maine. This includes a multi-faceted outreach strategy to a range of constituents, including donors, partners, and patients from across Maine. The Foundation produces several print pieces, negotiates advertising and partnership arrangements, oversees all social media, and is in the process of completing a comprehensive crisis communications plan.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.