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Hanover Improvement Society Corp

EIN 02-0392580 · Hanover, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HANOVER AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AT OUR THREE FACILITIES: STORRS POND RECREATION AREA, THE JAMES W. CAMPION III SKATING RINK, AND THE NUGGET THEATERS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
22 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
62
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$130,897, general manager (former)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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. $378,187 spent. STORRS POND RECREATION AREA - SPRA SERVES THOUSANDS OF UPPER VALLEY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND VISITORS YEAR-ROUND THROUGHOUT 23 ACRES OF SCENIC WOODLANDS AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES. VISITORS WALK THE TRAILS, CAMP, SWIM AND BOAT IN THE 13-ACRE POND, SPLASH IN THE HEATED POOL, PLAY TENNIS AND DISC GOLF, AND HOST SPECIAL EVENTS IN OUR COVERED PAVILIONS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TOWN OF HANOVER, DARTMOUTH, AND OAK HILL OUTDOOR CENTER, THE SITE HOSTS CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THESE OPPORTUNITIES HELP FOSTER AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED COMMUNITY.
  2. $678,037 spent. JAMES W. CAMPION III RINK - ICE SKATING IS A SIGNATURE UPPER VALLEY TRADITION THAT INSPIRES JOY, HEALTH AND FITNESS, ATHLETICISM, AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION AMONG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. IN SUPPORT OF A PASSIONATE SKATING COMMUNITY, THE CAMPION RINK OFFERS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR EXPERIENCED AND NOVICE SKATERS, INCLUDING FIGURE SKATING, YOUTH AND ADULT HOCKEY, SLED HOCKEY, AND COMPETITIVE HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. RECENT RENOVATIONS HAVE CREATED A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY TO IMPROVE THE SKATERS AND SPECTATORS' EXPERIENCES, AND TO UPGRADE THE COMPLEX REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS.
  3. $676,400 spent. NUGGET THEATER - SINCE 1916, THE NUGGET THEATER HAS BEEN BRINGING THE CINEMATIC ARTS TO HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE TWIN STATES COME TO ENJOY FIRST RUN AND INDEPENDENT FILMS IN AN HISTORIC MAIN STREET SETTING. THE NUGGET HELPS FUEL THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VITALITY OF OUR SMALL TOWN, OPENING HEARTS AND MINDS TO THE WORLD AROUND US.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1986.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.