Islesboro Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To bring together people interested in the history of Islesboro, for the purpose of collecting, preserving, presenting and promoting materials related to the history of the town and its place in local, regional, and national history. Materials include printed and manuscript documents and records, paintings, photographs, maps, objects, artifacts and buildings associated with the history of Islesboro and its residents.The Society also seeks to preserve, promote and interpret and sustain the culture of Islesboro and its residents, by hosting, sponsoring, and supporting activities and events that celebrate and sustain that culture in all its various forms.
- Income
- $102,286
- Spending
- $54,020
- Spent on programs
- 41%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 70%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 40
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1541% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 50 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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, 2024, 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 (3)
- $16,919 spent. Maintenance and Operation of the Building and Museum: During 2024, no significant replacement or improvement projects were carried out. $14,102 was spent on routine repairs & maintenance, security and occupancy costs, including electricity, as well as property maintenance. Another $2,817 was allocated to program services in regard to depreciation, bringing the total outlays for the year to $16,919.
- $4,253 spent. Historical Society Meetings, Lectures, Museum Public Exhibitions, Publications, Genealogy and Collections: Public exhibitions and programs are carried out in the Historical Society building and in the museum. In 2024, there were three evening educational programs. One was a presentation by Michael Mann entitled, "The History of Climate Change the second was a presentation by Taury Smith entitled, "Islesboro Rocks" concerning the geology of Islesboro; the third was a program presented by Tilley Laskey entitled, "Rose Cleveland's 700-Acre Model Farm". There were also three outdoor walking tours which covered the history of different areas of the Island. There were art shows in July & August, which generated significant revenue, an outdoor arts and crafts show featuring Island artisans, and an "Evening with Island Elders" at which four Island seniors spoke about their experiences on the Island and answered questions. The Historical Society also held its annual talent show in 2024.Of course, the Historical Society also regularly maintains, runs and adds to the collection in its museum, and maintains an extensive genealogy database.The Historical Society also publishes and sells several books on the Island's history. Finally, an active program is conducted in the Society's Genealogy and Collections Department, and an active program is conducted to engage the students of the Islesboro Central School in learning the Island's history.
- $1,000 spent. Scholarship Program: The scholarship program established in 2013 by the Islesboro Historical Society, continues with the award presented annually to an Islesboro High School graduate(s) interested in pursuing education at a secondary school/college. The Student's performance in history courses is one of the factors considered by the scholarship committee. Names and addresses of the awardees may be obtained by contacting the Islesboro Historical Society. In 2024, $1,000 in scholarship funds were paid out.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 September 1972.
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.