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American Museum of Fly Fishing Inc

EIN 03-0220781 · Manchester, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FLY FISHING IS THE STEWARD OF THE HISTORY, TRADITIONS, AND PRACTICES OF THE SPORT OF FLY FISHING AND PROMOTES THE CONSERVATION OF ITS WATERS. THE MUSEUM COLLECTS, PRESERVES, EXHIBITS, STUDIES, AND INTERPRETS THE ARTIFACTS, ART, AND LITERATURE OF THE SPORT AND USES THESE RESOURCES TO ENGAGE, EDUCATE, AND BENEFIT ALL.

Income
$548,560
Spending
$968,791
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
13
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$119,285, executive di

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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 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. $551,437 spent. MAINTENANCE OF EXHIBITS - THE MUSEUM MAINTAINED AND DISPLAYED EXHIBITS TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL FLY FISHING ARTIFACTS AND MEMORABILIA AND TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION REGARDING THE HISTORY OF FLY FISHING.
  2. $54,236 spent. JOURNAL AND PUBLICATIONS - THE PUBLISHING OF FLY FISHING LITERATURE IS AN IMPORTANT MEANS OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HISTORY OF FLY FISHING.
  3. $19,478 spent. EVENTS, SHOWS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS - THE MUSEUM HOSTS COMMUNITY ORIENTED EVENTS CENTERED AROUND FLY FISHING EDUCATION.

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 August 1968.

    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.