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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2025 Expires: July 2027

Acadia Center

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 6 7 14 18
(207) 236-6470
Post Office Box 583
Rockport, ME, 04856
https://acadiacenter.org
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Acadia Center does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

AC does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

AC does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

AC does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

AC does not meet this Standard because, when the organziaiton provided 2025 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total program service expenses.
  • Did not identify total fundraising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.

 

Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

AC does not meet this Standard because:

  • Its website, https://acadiacenter.org, does not provide access to a privacy policy.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 13

Acadia Center meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to advance bold, effective clean energy solutions for a livable climate and a stronger, more equitable economy."

Year, State Incorporated:
1998, ME

Also Known As:
Environment Northeast

Acadia Center (AC) reports that it fights for economic and environmental policies that will have the greatest impact on carbon emissions. The organization produces and analyzes data with the goal of producing a clean energy future. AC also advances conservation, advocating for clean energy solutions. The organization forms alliances with stakeholders such as consumers, the government, business and others involved in environmental justice, to work towards long-terms results.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Acadia Center's program expenses were:

Program services $1,755,794
Total Program Expenses $1,755,794

Chief Executive
Daniel L. Sosland, President

Compensation*
$266,388

Chair of the Board
Phyllis Theerman

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Sustainable Wellesley

Board Size
12

Paid Staff Size
18

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet

Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,070,503, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Acadia Center's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Interest income $60,421
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), net $233,624
Contributions $550,862
Foundations and grants $2,519,641
Total Income $3,364,548

Programs: 87% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $3,364,548
Total expenses: $2,026,336
  Program expenses $1,755,794
  Fundraising expenses $113,603
  Administrative expenses $156,939
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,338,212
Beginning Net Assets $3,636,175
Other Changes In Net Assets $57,163
Ending Net Assets $5,031,550
Total Liabilities $179,934
Total Assets $5,211,484

Note: In the above financial section "other changes in net assets" represents net appreciation in fair value of investments ($57,914) and loss on currency exchange (-$751).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance