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Barre Historical Society Inc

EIN 04-6068928 · Barre, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BARRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAS STARTED IN 1909 AND HAS BEEN A PUBLIC CHARITY SINCE 1964. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS MADE UP OF DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS TEACHERS, FARMERS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE. THERE ARE NO DISQUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS. THE ORGANIZATION PRESERVES, PROTECTS, INTERPRETS, DISPLAYS AND RESTORES RARE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT'S PUBLIC PROGRAMS PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BARRE, MA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A PLACE FOR STUDY AND RESEARCH FOR WRITERS AND EDUCATORS. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES IT'S SUPPORT FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TRUSTS AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS THROUGH DONATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS. THE ORGANIZATION SOLICITS DONATIONS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH LETTERS, POSTCARDS THROUGH PUBLIC PROGRAMS. MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION ATTEND AN ANNUAL CEMETERY EVENT IN ORDER TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM A LOCAL TRUST. THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT SUPPORT O

Income
$54,601
Spending
$56,534
Spent on programs
36%
Reserves
60.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 60.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    36% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 10 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

    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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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. $20,431 spent. TOURS AND GATHERINGS ARE PROVIDED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC PROVIDING HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE GREATER BARRE, MA AREA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 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 March 2026.

    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 October 1964.

    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.