Maine Public

What it reported doing in 2024

Maine Public is the only statewide Public Media service providing local and national content over multiple radio signals, two distinct radio services (news and classical music), four television channels and online to Maine residents, free of charge. Maine Public is committed to bringing local, national and international news, public affairs, and cultural programming that informs and enriches our citizens.Maine Public continues to focus on providing our content on every possible platform no matter where people are in the state or their income level. Adding PBS Kids programming to the Maine Public App is just one example of delivering access at no direct cost to users -- wherever we can.Public Outreach Maine Public recognizes the need to engage the Maine community in both our content and mission and to ensure that we are meeting the needs and preferences of all Mainers. Maine Public connects with our viewers and listeners through a variety of mechanisms including Community Advisory Board (CAB) meetings that are open to the public, Board of Trustees meetings that include opportunities for public comment, community events that include state-wide free public screenings of national and Maine Public programs, a presence at fairs and festivals, and an active digital media presence with a continuously updated website (mainepublic.org) and active social media platforms including Facebook, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. Maine Public partners with non-profits across the state to promote their events and initiatives and help drive the success of their efforts. Maine Public culls feedback through a number of vehicles including listener and viewer surveys, a dedicated Audience Services team to manage all incoming queries via phone and email from the general public, and a robust Membership Services team to manage member issues and concerns.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 49.8%; rating input score 50
• Program expense ratio: 65.5%; rating input score 65
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.59 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 25.5%; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.06; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6%; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.5% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings