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Newport Restoration Foundation

EIN 05-0317816 · Newport, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NRF PROMOTES AND INVESTS IN THE HERITAGE OF THE NEWPORT COMMUNITY, THE TRADITIONAL BUILDING TRADES, AND DORIS DUKE'S FINE AND DECORATIVE ARTS AND COLLECTIONS, FOR THE ENJOYMENT, EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION TO ALL.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
66
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$373,302, president/ executive director (to 8/24)

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.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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

    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. $3.4 million spent. ROUGH POINT IS A MUSEUM, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SHARING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DORIS DUKE THROUGH STORYTELLING ABOUT THE PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THE HOUSE'S HISTORY, CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, AND CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH THE FINE AND DECORATIVE ARTS HER FAMILY COLLECTED. THE MUSEUM ALSO INCLUDES AN EXHIBITION ON 18TH CENTURY NEWPORT FURNITURE.
  2. $2.7 million spent. THE FOUNDATION OWNS, PRESERVES, AND MAINTAINS APPROXIMATELY 70 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY BUILDINGS, PREDOMINANTLY IN NEWPORT. ALL BUT ONE OF THE HOUSES ARE RENTED TO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TENANT STEWARDS. THE VERNON HOUSE IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS IN NEWPORT, CURRENTLY HOSTING CONTEMPORARY DIALOGUE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND A PRESERVATION LEARNING LAB FOR THE HISTORIC TRADES INITIATIVE.
  3. $106,970 spent. WHITEHORNE HOUSE WAS A MUSEUM, DISPLAYING 18TH CENTURY NEWPORT FURNITURE AND RELATED DECORATIVE ARTS. THIS COLLECTION IS NOW HOUSED AS AN EXHIBITION IN ROUGH POINT. THE BUILDING IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, AS THE FOUNDATION RESEARCHES THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSE TO BETTER INFORM THE PROPERTIES FUTURE.
  4. $78,224 spent. PRESCOTT FARM FEATURES A COLLECTION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND A WALKING TRAIL. IT FUNCTIONS AS A PUBLIC PARK AND IS OPEN DAILY FROM DAWN TO DUSK FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.

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 November 6, 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 June 1969.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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