Passes our checks

The General Henry Knox Museum

EIN 01-0427323 · Thomaston, ME

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

What it says it does

THE GENERAL HENRY KNOX MUSEUM SERVES TO HONOR THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HENRY KNOX AND THE HERITAGE OF MONTPELIER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 15
62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
24 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8
Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7
Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$80,096 spent. THE MUSEUM UNDERWENT SEVERAL PROJECTS TO ENHANCE THE CONDITION OF THE BUILDING. A REFRESH OF THE ROOMS INVOLVED PAINTING, WALLPAPERING AND PLASTER REPAIR. THE RESTORATION OF 9 WINDOWS ON THE SECOND FLOOR WILL NOT ONLY ENHANCE THEIR BEAUTY BUT WILL ADD ENERGY EFFICIENCY. THE MUSEUM MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WAS UPDATED AND PLANS WERE DRAWN UP FOR MAJOR PROJECTS TO REHABILITATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AS WE APPROACH OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2030.
$35,412 spent. 2024 SAW THE INTRODUCTION OF OUR HYBRID SYSTEM OF MUSEUM ADMINISTRATION. THE NEW SYSTEM ALLOCATED 32 HOURS PER WEEK FOR OUR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, 16 HOURS PER WEEK FOR THE MUSEUM CLERK, THE HIRING OF A DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE FOR 8 HOURS PER WEEK AND AN EDUCATION ASSOCIATE FOR 8 HOURS PER WEEK. WITH THE ADDITIONAL STAFF, WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO THE PUBLIC TO INCLUDE CHILDREN'S WORKSHOPS, AN INCREASED NUMBER OF LECTURES AND A TEACHERS WORKSHOP. OUR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE WAS ABLE TO INCREASE OUR VISIBILITY, NOT ONLY IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BUT EXPANDING TO OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE. GRANT WRITING INCREASED FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS.
$24,382 spent. THE 2024 SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM SAW THREE EXCELLENT COLLEGE STUDENTS EDUCATING VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM THROUGH TOURS AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS INTO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ERA. IN ADDITION, THE INTERNS ASSISTED IN THE GIFT SHOP, HANDLED SOCIAL MEDIA, AND COMPLETED INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS THAT BENEFITED THE MUSEUM MISSION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 March 1988.
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.