Island Readers and Writers an Initiative for Maine Children
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ISLAND READERS & WRITERS' MISSION IS TO INSPIRE A PASSION FOR READING AND LEARNING. WE DO THIS BY BRINGING CHILDREN'S BOOKS AND THE AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS WHO CREATED THEM TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN AND PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS TO RURAL EDUCATORS IN MAINE AND NEW ENGLAND.
- Income
- $3.2 million
- Spending
- $581,976
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 103.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 6
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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 103.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 82% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
0 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)
- $392,815 spent. WE PARTNER WITH 26 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - (12) ON COASTAL ISLANDS AND (14) IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY TO BRING GREAT STORIES TO LIFE. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO ENSURE THAT OUR PROGRAMS MEET CURRICULAR INTERESTS AND THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE. WE LEAD AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS IN BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT AND VALUE CHILDREN READING AND EXPLORING AREAS OF INQUIRY AND EXPLORATIONS ABOUT SELF, COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD - THE POSSIBILITIES IN LIFE. WE PROVIDE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR EARLY LEARNERS AND PARENTS THAT ADVANCE LITERACY SKILL DEVELOPMENT. IN 2020, IRW WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WITH AN AWARD FOR LITERACY FOR "ITS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF BEST PRACTICES IN LITERACY AND READING PROMOTION." WE PARTNER WITH 26 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - (12) ON COASTAL ISLANDS AND (14) IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY TO BRING GREAT STORIES TO LIFE. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO ENSURE THAT OUR PROGRAMS MEET CURRICULAR INTERESTS AND THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE. WE LEAD AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS IN BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT AND VALUE CHILDREN READING AND EXPLORING AREAS OF INQUIRY AND EXPLORATIONS ABOUT SELF, COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD - THE POSSIBILITIES IN LIFE. WE PROVIDE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR EARLY LEARNERS AND PARENTS THAT ADVANCE LITERACY SKILL DEVELOPMENT. IN 2020, IRW WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WITH AN AWARD FOR LITERACY FOR "ITS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF BEST PRACTICES IN LITERACY AND READING PROMOTION."
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 June 2007.
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.