Brunswick Downtown Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission is to enhance the vitality and appeal of downtown Brunswick, Maine as a center of business activity, to increase the general physical and psychological appeal of the downtown, and to promote the cultural, retail, service, and economic interests of the membership.
- Income
- $373,493
- Spending
- $343,804
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 39%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 40
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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
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.
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 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 (1)
- $230,382 spent. The Brunswick Downtown Association BDA is a not-for-profit entity organized as a 501C 3. The mission of the group is to enhance the vitality and appeal of downtown Brunswick as a thriving center of business activity to increase the general physical and psychological appeal of downtown, and to promote the cultural, retail, service, and economic interests of our membership. Some of the accomplishments of the BDA include education of the extended community on locally related historical figures and events creating awareness to membership of opportunities to assist in community improvements sponsorship of community events that regularly include other local nonprofit organizations such as Music on the Mall concerts, family activities such as Maine Street Celebrates, the Christmas tree lighting and arrival of Santa Claus, holiday coloring contest, and Home for the Holidays coordination of efforts to buy new benches for Maine Street sidewalks advocating solutions for additional parking and promotion of opportunities to improve the creative economy in Brunswick. Services that are provided include advocating critical business success issues within the Town of Brunswick, disseminating information on critical issues to the business, nonprofit and residential communities, surveying community interest and presenting them to the business community and municipal government, and collaborating with Bowdoin College and its students to identify issues and opportunities. People affected by the BDA are community residents, members of local cultural organizations, Bowdoin College students, faculty, and staff, and local businesses.
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
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 December 2024.
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 April 2004.
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.