The Maine Heritage Policy Center

What it reported doing in 2024

Maine policy institute is a non-profit, nonpartisan, research and educational organization whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise; limited, constitutional government; individual freedom; and traditional american values all for the purpose of providing public policy solutions that benefit the people of Maine. Maine policy institute works to expand individual liberty and economic freedom and is a strong voice for taxpayers. We believe in an open, transparent, and accountable state government and we work to ensure hardworking mainers keep the fruits of their labor and defend their rights and liberties from government overreach. Maine policy institutes staff pursues this mission by conducting accurate and timely research and marketing these findings to its primary audience: the Maine legislature, nonpartisan legislative staff, the executive branch, the states media, and the broad policy community. Maine policy institutes products include publications, articles, a news bureau, conferences, and policy briefings that advance individual liberty and economic freedom in Maine. Maine policy researches and formulates innovative and proven conservative public policy solutions for Maine in four key areas: economics and taxation education health care government reform Maine policy relies on the generous support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and does not accept government funds or perform contract work. Maine policy board of directors has helped build a strong organization, with excellent programs, exceptional research capabilities, outstanding leadership, and a growing membership that has consistently supported the organizations expansion. In each of its program areas, the organization accomplishes its mission through a straightforward, powerful five-part approach that includes: 1.fully analyzing the economic problems that are holding Maine back; 2.thoroughly investigating the root causes of the problems and identifying proven policy solutions often solutions that are already working in another state; 3.aggressively educating the public, media and policy makers about the identified problems and their causes; 4.recommending proven solutions; and, 5.uncompromisingly advocating including grassroots and outreach for policy solutions until they are implemented even when it takes years because the policies will result in Maine becoming more prosperous. For each of the four policy areas listed above, Maine policy has clear and measureable policy objectives. Documented progress demonstrating the achievement of policy objectives and initiatives is the indicator used by Maine policy institute to measure the organizations overall impact, effectiveness and success. Donors receive regular progress reports on Maine policys activities and accomplishments as the organization realizes its ultimate goals of advancing prosperity and creating a more vibrant economy within Maine. Maine policy institute has nearly 4,000 donors (94 percent from Maine) and our email distribution list has more than 21,000 subscribers.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 71.7%; rating input score 72
• Program expense ratio: 80.4%; rating input score 80
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.26 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 11.1%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.51; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.28; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 16.4%; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 13.6% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.6% per year; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 15.8% per year; rating input score 100; 74th percentile among comparable filings