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Golden Ball Tavern Trust

EIN 04-6130583 · Weston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 26% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PRESERVING THE GOLDEN BALL TAVERN, LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, AND SERVING AS A MUSEUM AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR THE SCHOOLS AND FOR STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AND THE DECORATIVE ARTS

Income
$205,085
Spending
$302,520
Spent on programs
26%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 61%
Employees
2
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$131,715, exec. direct

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    26% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $77,364 spent. THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE GOLDEN BALL TAVERN, A HISTORICAL BUILDING LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, AND SERVES AS A MUSEUM AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AND THE DECORATIVE ARTS. THE GOLDEN BALL TAVERN MUSEUM IS A RICH HISTORIC FABRIC-A QUILT COMPOSED OF MANY PATCHES. THERE IS THE STORY OF A TAVERN IN THE COLONIAL PERIOD; THE STORY OF A GRACIOUS GEORGIAN HOME AND HOW IT CHANGED THROUGH TIME; THE STORY OF ISAAC JONES AND THE COMING OF THE REVOLUTION; AND THE STORY OF THE CHANGING JONES FAMILY OVER 200 YEARS. TODAY THE GOLDEN BALL TAVERN MUSEUM CONTINUES TO EXPLORE AND INTERPRET THE FABRIC OF ITS OWN UNIQUE STORY.

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 February 1965.

    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.