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Metropolitan Waterworks Museum Inc

EIN 04-3251784 · Chestnut Hill, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MWM OWNS AND OPERATES THE WATERWORKS MUSEUM (THE "MUSEUM"), INCLUDING A COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM. THE MUSEUM IS A SINGLE CONDOMINIUM UNIT OF THE MUSEUM BUILDING CONDOMINIUM, ONE OF SEPARATE CONDOMINIUM BUILDING REGIMES ON THE SITE. THE FOUR BUILDINGS SHARE CERTAIN OPERATING RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGH AN ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST (THE WATERWORKS AT CHESTNUT HILL TRUST), AND THE COMPLEX IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE WATERWORKS AT CHESTNUT HILL. THE SITE WAS PREVIOUSLY THE CHESTNUT HILL WATERWORKS, OWNED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LDA. THREE OF THE FOUR BUILDINGS AND THE ADJACENT CHESTNUT HILL RESERVOIR ARE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND THE ENTIRE SITE IS A DESIGNATED CITY OF BOSTON LANDMARK. THE MUSEUM HOUSES THREE HISTORIC STEAM PUMPING ENGINES INSTALLED BETWEEN 1894 AND 1921: THE ALLIS, THE WORTHINGTON, AND THE LEAVITT. AS REQUIRED UNDER THE LDA, MWM PROVIDES PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM AT NO FEE, AND TO THE COMMUNITY ROO

Income
$541,573
Spending
$651,233
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $591,473 spent. THE MUSEUM HOUSES THREE HISTORIC STEAM PUMPING ENGINES INSTALLED BETWEEN 1894 AND 1921: THE ALLIS, THE WORTHINGTON, AND THE LEAVITT. THE MWM PROVIDES PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM AT NO FEE, AND TO THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT A MARGINAL COST RECOVERY CHARGE, BOTH IN PERPETUITY. ITS MISSION AS AN EDUCATIONAL NON-PROFIT IS TO PROMOTE LEARNING AT THE WATERWORKS MUSEUM, AS WELL AS PRESERVING THE MAGNIFICENT INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE BUILDING AND ENGINES.

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 April 1995.

    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.