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Ellsworth Historical Society

EIN 01-0359659 · Ellsworth, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FORMED IN 1978, THE MISSION OF THE ELLSWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO SPARK AN APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR DIVERSE LOCAL HERITAGE, ITS CONTEXT AND LIVING HISTORY WITHIN AND BEYOND ELLSWORTH AND HANCOCK COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, INTERPRETATION AND EXHIBITION OF ARTIFACTUAL AND DOCUMENTARY MATERIALS, HISTORY BUILDINGS, CULTURAL PRACTICES AND OTHER INTANGIBLE HERITAGE, THE ELLSWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND THE COLLECTIVE IDENTITY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND REGION.

Income
$242,094
Spending
$29,899
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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)
  1. $15,062 spent. EHS COLLECTS, PRESERVES, AND DIGITIZES ARTIFACTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND EPHEMERA DOCUMENTING ELLSWORTH AND HANCOCK COUNTY'S HISTORY, AND COLLABORATES WITH FIFTEEN REGIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES AND MUSEUMS AS A CONTRIBUTING PARTNER OF THE HISTORY TRUST, TO ENSURE THE PUBLIC HAS ONLINE ACCESS TO THESE REGIONAL HISTORICAL RESOURCES.
  2. $1,267 spent. EHS RESEARCHES THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS OF ELLSWORTH AND HANCOCK COUNTY, SHARING FINDINGS THROUGH PUBLIC LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, EHS FOSTERS REGIONAL COLLABORATION BY PUBLISHING RESEARCH ARTICLES FROM LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES IN THE DOWNEAST HERITAGE QUARTERLY (NOW, CHRONICLE), ENRICHING AND INCREASING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH HISTORY.
  3. $4,750 spent. EHS IS LEADING THE REHABILITATION OF THE 1886 OLD HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF'S HOME AND JAIL, A NATIONAL REGISTER-LISTED LANDMARK. WITH EXTERIOR MASONRY FULLY REPOINTED AND FUNDING SECURED FOR SLATE ROOF RESTORATION, EHS IS ADVANCING ITS MISSION TO PRESERVE THIS RARE EXAMPLE OF A COMBINED RESIDENCE AND JAIL. THIS INITIATIVE NOT ONLY SAFEGUARDS THE BUILDING'S ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY BUT ALSO REIMAGINES IT AS THE HANCOCK COUNTY CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER, ENSURING ITS CONTINUED RELEVANCE AS A HISTORICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1979.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.