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Thetford Historical Society Inc

EIN 03-6012814 · Thetford, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To collect, preserve, and display information and artifacts connected with the history of Thetford.

Income
$58,634
Spending
$92,114
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
109.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 47%
Employees
1
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$39,000, 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: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 109.6 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 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 76 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $35,187 spent. The THS Library was once again open to the public, staffed 2 days per week. We provided assistance to individuals looking into family genealogy and other topics related to our local history. We assisted students at Thetford Academy with their curriculum. We responded to phone and e-mail requests several times each week.
  2. $35,097 spent. The THS Barn Museum has been recovering from a 2016 flood and a 2019 car accident. There were no programs or open hours in 2024. Extensive repairs were made. Board members and volunteers worked to prepare a new exhibit space. The THS collection consists of antique furniture, farm implements, and artwork which is housed in the Barn Museum and Historical Library. The entire collection is available for use by scholars, school children, and anyone with an interest in history.
  3. $16,040 spent. We had three programs on Forests, co-sponsored with Thetford Libraries and Thetford Conservation Commission. Programs were videotaped. Attendance 250 people. We displayed information at the Thetford Hill Fair, and engaged with 75 residents. We developed a display of Samplers made by residents with ties to Revolutionary-era soldiers from our town and brought this to the Thetford Hill Fair. Our Annual Meeting featured a talk by former VT Attorney General Jeffrey Amestoy speaking about his recent book Winters Time. Attendance 50 people. Members of THS continued to develop and update our walking tour guides. Our Oral History Committee continues interviews with Town elders. Our Fall 2024 Annual Meeting featured a presentation on heirloom fruits and vegetables. Attendance of 60 people.

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 November 1972.

    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.