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Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation

EIN 93-1603588 · Camden, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak38 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Raise Funds for restoration of the Curtis Island Light Station in Camden, Maine

Income
$249,566
Spending
$68,556
Spent on programs
18%
Reserves
50.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.3 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 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    18% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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, 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 (5)
  1. $2,451 spent. Establish the Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation (CILF) as a Maine non-profit organization and IRS 501(c)(3) Public Charity; begin raising funds to establish the foundation and to support a Historic Building Conditions Report, and development of a Historic Preservation Plan in 2024.
  2. $2,451 spent. During 2025 the orgnaization continued planning, fundraising, engineering coordination, and preservation efforts for the historic Curtis Island Light Station. Activities included: - Continued implementation of recommendations contained in the Preservation Plan prepared by the Historic Building Architects - Coordination with the Town of Camden regarding future restoration activies - Evaluation of restoration priorities for the Light Tower, Keepers House, Barn, and Oil Shed - Planning for future capital imrpovements - Development of project budgets and construction sequencing - Providing a 25% match for a Light Tower Restoration Grant of $338,000 These activities furthered the organizations exempt purpose by preserving the nationally significant historic resources for future generations
  3. $2,451 spent. Pubic Education and Community Outreach The organization conducted extensive educational activities during 2025 to include: - Public Presentations - Website Development - Community Outreach - Donor Communication - Historical Research - Public Awareness Regarding Lighthouse Preservation Educational Efforts Emphasized: - Maritime History - Historic Preservation - Lighthouse Restoration - Community Stewardship - Volunteer Engagement
  4. $2,451 spent. Fundraising and Scholarship The organization successfully conducted fundraising activities supporting future restoration of the Curtis Island Light Station. Highlights include: - Broad community donor participation - Major gifts - Foundation grants - Individual charitable contributions - Continued development of relationships with preservation organizations and supporters
  5. $2,451 spent. Significant Accomplishments During 2025 - Continued collaboration with the Town of Camden - Advanced engineering and access planning - Expanded donor participation - Increased public awareness of preservation needs - Continued strategic planning for phased restoration - Strengthened organizational governance - Maintained its status as a publicy supported charitable organization

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.