Ecology Learning Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the ecology learning center is to deeply root students in Maine's ecological & cultural landscapes, foster authentic real-world learning through mentorship & craft, and cultivate compassionate and resilient leaders prepared to engage in the challenges of today & tomorrow.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 90%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $70,900, exec. director / head of s
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
Weak: 43 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 21% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 80 out of 100.
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.
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 (1)
- $1.3 million spent. In academic year 2023-2024 (FY24), Ecology Learning Center provided education to approximately 107 students grades 9-12.In Biology, students assessed three local bodies of water: Sandy Stream, Bacon Brook, and Unity Pond. In History, students researched and conducted a formal debate over the controversial Central Maine Power corridor. Officials from the town of Unity were interviewed as part of a Civics unit. Community engagement, such as cleaning headstones in local cemeteries and maintaining a local mountain biking trail, added depth and character development to the place-based curriculum. Students seeking additional challenges enjoyed dual enrollment at the University of Maine, where college courses are available to them as part of their high school education.Students explored the local landscape and coast through Adventure days - mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, sea kayaking and sailing on a schooner. A partnership with Maine Local Living School offered 10th grade students an off-grid overnight experience in Maine's western foothills. All students participated in an annual 5K Maple Run featuring hydration sweetened with student-made syrup. The Ecology Learning Center ranked third in the statewide Teens to Trails Life Happens Outside Challenge, where schools competed to log the highest number of hours spent outside by students.In addition to place-based curriculum and connecting with the ecological landscape, students explored cultural landscapes through art. In May, an arts celebration showcased live folk music, a gallery of students' paintings and drawings, and a display of handcrafted objects from woodworking courses. Students performed at the Unity Block Party in September and Yuletide Celebration in December.
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 September 2019.
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.