Dignity First
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to create and sustain no barrier, recovery oriented, supported, permanent housing for unhoused people.
- Income
- $25,274
- Spending
- $29,055
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 38.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $3,900, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).
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
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.
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, 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)
- $24,846 spent. Dignity First was created to work on the problem of homelessness in the Bangor area. Our goal is to replicate the Community First! Village out of Austin, TX in a way that will best serve the needs here in Maine. This village plan provides not only housing, but a supportive community that surrounds all residents. It has intentional neighbors who choose to join the community that surrounds all the residents. It has intentional neighbors who choose to join the previously unhoused neighbors and live side-by-side with them. We know lack of housing in Maine and across the USA is a huge problem and only growing worse. This project aims to alleviate some of the pressures on the lower end of the housing market in our area. We also know that homelessness affects our entire community, not only those by it physically. Because we don't yet have the funding to create the village, we are currently working to build a support system tat can help people being housed by other organizations, so that we will be prepared with our community once we have obtained the spot fo the physical village to be located. There are many providers working already in Bangor, and are intent is not to replace them, but to join with them and create a network of support for those in need. Meanwhile, we also have taken on small support roles for a select few individuals needing help over the 5+ years we've been working, with help getting into housing via security deposits, phone minutes, and morale boosting and cheerleading. Until 'Camp Hope' was disbursed, we provided a hot meal once a month to residents campting there with volunteer help. We also volunteer with other organizations supporting recover, food, art, and other help for unhoused and tenantively housed/low income neighbors whenever we can.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.
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 October 2019.
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.