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Newport Historical Society

EIN 05-0264532 · Newport, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE THE ARTIFACTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, DOCUMENTS, PUBLICATIONS AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS THAT RELATE TO THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY RI; TO MAKE THESE MATERIALS READILY AVAILABLE FOR BOTH RESEARCH AND ENJOYMENT; AND TO ACT AS A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
17.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
51
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$170,186, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% 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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $464,832 spent. COLLECTIONS - PRESERVE AND PROTECT OBJECTS, ARTIFACTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, MANUSCRIPTS, AND BOOKS, AND MAINTAIN A HISTORICAL RESEARCH LIBRARY WHICH IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  2. $551,400 spent. EDUCATION- EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON REGIONAL HISTORY THROUGH MEANS SUCH AS WALKING TOURS OF CITY, HISTORIC SITE TOURS, LECTURES AND OTHER PROGRAMS.
  3. $139,145 spent. BRICK MARKET MUSEUM- MUSEUM LOCATED IN NEWPORT RI THAT MAINTAINS AND DISPLAYS COLLECTIONS, OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, NO ADMITTANCE FEE CHARGED, MUSEUM STORE.PROPERTIES- MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES.

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 April 1928.

    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.