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Strategies for a Stronger Sanford

EIN 80-0144697 · Sanford, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS BUILDING A STRONG FUTURE FOR THE CITY BY ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. THE ORGANIZATION NURTURES PARTNERSHIPS, PROVIDES SUSTAINABILITY TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND HELPS TO CREATE THE LOCAL CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO FOSTER A SHARED VISION AND PROMOTE THE HELATHY DEVELOPMENT OF A THRIVING CITY.

Income
$160,255
Spending
$109,468
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
3

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 88% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $94,986 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE AND EDUCATE YOUTH AND ADULTS ON DRUG RELATED ISSUES TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THESE ISSUES. SUPPORT OF A "YOUTH COUNCIL" PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO SHARE THEIR VOICE ON THESE AND OTHER ISSUES.
  2. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS TO FACILITATE PARENT, COMMUNITY, AND YOUTH VOICE AND INVOLVMENT IN EDUCATION RELATED ISSUES TO BETTER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY'S YOUTH AND INCREASE POSITIVE YOUTH OUTCOMES.
  3. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A BACKPACK PROGRAM INITIATIVE WHICH HELPS MEET BASIC HUNGER NEEDS FOR CHILDREN AND SUPPORTS THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRESS WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO CREATING A THRIVING COMMUNITY.
  4. $5,982 spent. NOTE THAT OTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE AND DONE VIA SIMILAR PROGRAMMING, STAFFING AND SHARED OVERHEAD SO COSTS ARE NOT ALLOCATED ACROSS ACCOMPLISHMENTS BUT RATHER REPORTED IN SUM TOTAL.
  5. NOTE THAT OTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE AND DONE VIA SIMILAR PROGRAMMING, STAFFING AND SHARED OVERHEAD SO COSTS ARE NOT ALLOCATED ACROSS ACCOMPLISHMENTS BUT RATHER REPORTED IN SUM TOTAL.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 April 2009.

    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.