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Hingham Historical Society

EIN 04-6052033 · Hingham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FOUNDED IN 1914, IS A MEMBER-SUPPORTED NON-PROFIT DEDICATED TO COLLECTING, PRESERVING, EXHIBITING, AND INTERPRETING THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$981,711
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
12
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$106,000, executive director

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    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

    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 (4)
  1. $33,730 spent. EDUCATION-IN 2024, THERE WERE LECTURES OVER TWO SEPARATE SERIES: SUBURBIA THROUGH APRIL 2024 AND THEN REVISITING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER. FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS IN 3RD, 5TH, AND 11TH GRADERS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $464,973 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH-IN 2024, COMMUNITY OUTREACH INCLUDED LINCOLN DAY AND SPRINGHAM
  3. $10,051 spent. THE HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR IS ONE OF THE OLDEST AND LONGEST RUNNING HOUSE TOURS IN THE COUNTRY. FROM MODEST CAPES TO GRAND ESTATES, THE HOMES SHOWCASED EACH YEAR REVEAL A NETWORK OF FAMILIES, TRADE, MARRIAGE, WORK AND WORSHIP THAT HAVE OVER ALMOST 400 YEARS MADE HINGHAM AN ICONIC NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY.
  4. $5,657 spent. MEMBERSHIP EVENTS IN 2024 INCLUDED A NEW MEMBER RECEPTION AND THE HARVEST SUPPER

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 November 1950.

    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.