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New Hampshire Boat Museum

EIN 02-0464218 · Moultonboro, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE AN ENDURING CONNECTION, STEWARDSHIP, AND APPRECIATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S FRESHWATER BOATING HERITAGE THROUGH COMPELLING EXHIBITS, EXPERIENCES, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$797,644
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
25
Volunteers
183
Highest pay
$81,831, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 2025, 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. $428,409 spent. MUSEUM: THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT MUSEUM WAS FOUNDED IN 1992 BY A GROUP OF ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC BOATING ENTHUSIASTS WHO WANTED TO SHARE THEIR LOVE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S FRESHWATER BOATING HERITAGE. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT MUSEUM HAS HOUSED ITS COLLECTION FOR THE PAST 20+ YEARS IN WOLFEBORO, NH IN A 5,000 SQUARE FOOT ROUND ROOF BUILDING BUILT IN 1954, OPEN ON A SEASONAL BASIS. IN 2022, FOLLOWING A MULTI-YEAR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT MUSEUM PURCHASED A 24,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING IN MOULTONBOROUGH, NH TO EXPAND OPERATIONS. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT MUSEUM'S HEADQUARTERS WAS RELOCATED THERE IN 2024 FOLLOWING RENOVATIONS. THE NEW FACILITY IS FOCUSED ON THE NH BOAT MUSEUM AS A YEAR-ROUND PREMIER DESTINATION, REINFORCING NEW HAMPSHIRE'S TOURISM BRAND. THIS PHASE CATALYZES THE VITALITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, REGION, AND STATE. COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL AND MEETING SPACE, FLEXIBLE EXHIBITION SPACES, OFFICES, AND CONFERENCE AREAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VISITORS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO THE MUSEUM. THE RENOVATED SPACES HOST NUMEROUS VENUES, WORKSHOPS, GATHERINGS, AND PARTNERSHIPS, ALL STIMULATING LOCAL COMMERCE WHILE PROMOTING LOCAL HERITAGE AND CULTURAL PRIDE, WHILE SERVING AS A KEY DRIVER FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE WOLFEBORO CAMPUS WILL CONTINUE TO HOST MANY SEASONAL PROGRAMS DURING SPRING AND SUMMER.
  2. $28,895 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT MUSEUM OFFERS CORE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE BOAT BUILDING CLASSES FOR ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH; SAILING FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WOLFEBORO PARKS AND RECREATION; MODEL YACHTING AND MODEL YACHT KIT BUILDING CLASSES; LAKE DISCOVERY DAYS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN; ON-WATER BOATING SAFETY CLASSES AND MORE.
  3. $79,070 spent. VINTAGE BOAT RIDES: THE MUSEUM OFFERS VINTAGE BOAT RIDES WHICH TOUR LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE ON TWO 28-FOOT MAHOGANY HACKER-CRAFT. RIDERS EXPERIENCE THE GOLDEN AGE OF BOATING WHILE VIEWING SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND MAGNIFICENT HOMES AND BOAT HOUSES, WITH FASCINATING NARRATION BY THEIR CAPTAIN ABOUT THE LAKE'S HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, AND WILDLIFE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 December 2025.

    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 September 1994.

    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.