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African American Heritage Trail of Marthas Vineyard Inc

EIN 04-3420520 · West Tisbury, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RESEARCH AND DISSEMINATE THE PREVIOUSLY UNDOCUMENTED AND UNCELEBRATED HISTORY OF PEOPLE OF COLOR ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD, PROVIDE EDUCATION WHILE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, AND TO DEVELOP A PHYSICAL TRAIL WITH RECOGNIZED SITES FEATURING INFORMATIONAL PLAQUES.

Income
$229,827
Spending
$211,534
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$26,000, ceo

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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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, 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. $163,358 spent. THE PROVISION OF TOURS TO ENLIGHTEN AND TO ENHANCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENT ON THE ISLAND OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD.
  2. $5,000 spent. PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND AFFIRMATION TO ASSIST THEM TO SEEK HIGHER EDUCATION SUCCESSFULLY.
  3. $34,124 spent. DEDICATION OF SITES BY PLACING PLAQUES AND SCULPTURES TO HONOR SPECIFIC HISTORIES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR ON THE VINEYARD.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 July 1998.

    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 October 21, 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.