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Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center Inc

EIN 04-3480870 · Gloucester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE STUDENTS AND VISITORS TO VALUE MARINE SCIENCE, MARITIME HERITAGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH HANDS-ON EDUCAITON AND EXPERIENCES

Income
$709,464
Spending
$821,031
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
-1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
20
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$115,385, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 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 September 30, 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. $353,003 spent. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF A MARINE RAILWAY, HISTORIC COLLECTION OF BUILDINGS, MUSEUM, MARITIME SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER, WORKING WATERFRONT AND DOCKS AS A HISTORIC SITE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATING VISITORS AND STUDENTS ABOUT THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER AND ITS FISHING INDUSTRY
  2. $88,025 spent. YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON MARITIME TRAINING AND MARINE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE (S.T.E.M.) ACTIVITIES AND INSTRUCTION KNOWN AS OCEAN EXPLORERS, MARITIME APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, AND COASTAL EXPLORERS.
  3. $83,897 spent. PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON OFFERING RICH CULTURAL EXPERIENCES TO THE COMMUNITY THAT FOSTER A CONNECTION TO GLOUCESTER'S MARITIME HERITAGE AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, INCLUDING PUBLIC EDUCATION, SITE INTERPRETATION, AND EVENTS LIKE GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FESTIVAL, LECTURES, AND WORKSHOPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2023 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2023.

    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 September 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 March 2025.

    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.