Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Public Archaeology Laboratory Inc

EIN 05-0397614 · Pawtucket, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PAL PERFORMS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC IN THE AREA OF CULTURAL RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION, DOCUMENTATION AND PRESERVATION THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND AND THE MID-ATLANTIC. ITS CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O)SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, TERRESTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY, HISTORY, CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND CONSULTATION, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
21.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
74
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$288,934, president

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: 96 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs.

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

    9 of 10 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 (3)
  1. $6.3 million spent. CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEYS ARE PERFORMED IN PROJECT AREAS THAT REQUIRE STATE AND/OR FEDERAL PERMITTING OR FUNDING IN ORDER TO ASSESS IF IMPACTS FROM THE PROJECT WILL AFFECT ANY HISTORIC BUILDINGS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, HISTORIC LANDSCAPES, OR OBJECTS. SURVEYS ALSO ARE PERFORMED AT THE REQUEST OF MUNICIPALITIES AND PRIVATE PARTIES, SUCH AS LOCAL HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS AND SOCIETIES, TO INFORM THEM OF ANY HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THEIR CITIES AND TOWNS OR ON INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES. TECHNICAL REPORTS DETAILING THE RESULTS OF THE CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEYS ARE PREPARED AND DISSEMINATED TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES, HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS AND SOCIETIES, LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITIES, PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES AND OTHER COMPANIES SIMILAR TO PAL. EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O)SPECIFICALLY GEARED TO THE PUBLIC AND GRADES K THROUGH 12 ARE OFTEN PREPARED ON THE TYPES OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS.
  2. $215,390 spent. IN THE COURSE OF PAL'S WORK, CULTURAL DATA AND ARTIFACTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND RECOVERED. THE VAST MAJORITY OF SUCH MATERIALS ARE MAINTAINED IN PAL'S LABORATORY, WHERE THEY ARE CATALOGUED AND CURATED, AND PRESERVED FOR FUTURE RESEARCH. PAL'S LABORATORY IS RUN BY PROFESSIONALLY-QUALIFIED STAFF WHO SPECIALIZE IN CULTURAL MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION ANALYSES AND CURATION. RECORDS ARE MAINTAINED IN A CUSTOM-BUILT, SEARCHABLE DATABASE AND ALL CULTURAL MATERIALS AND RECORDS ARE CURATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR'S STANDARDS (36 CFR 79) FOR CURATION OF FEDERALLY-OWNED AND ADMINISTERED ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. THE FULL COLLECTION ALSO INCLUDES EXTENSIVE LITHIC, POST-CONTACT CERAMIC, BOTTLE, FAUNAL AND FLORAL TYPE COLLECTIONS THAT AID IN CULTURAL (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O)MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION AND ARE USED AS TEACHING COLLECTIONS FOR PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. ALL DATA AND ARTIFACTS STORED AT PAL ARE AVAILABLE TO PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS, STUDENTS AND OTHER QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN USING THE MATERIALS FOR SCHOLARLY RESEARCH.IN ADDITION, PAL ASSISTS SEVERAL GOVERNMENTAL AND OTHER ENTITIES THAT DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PROPERLY PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR OWN MATERIALS BY CATALOGING AND CURATING THEIR ARTIFACTS.
  3. $87,786 spent. PAL'S PRIMARY MISSION OF PERFORMING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT OF 1966, AS AMENDED, RESULTS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION OF HISTORY AND HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS. THE PRODUCT OF THIS RESEARCH IS PROVIDED TO COLLEAGUES AND THE PUBLIC FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. PAL ALSO ENGAGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION ITSELF, CREATING PROGRAMS TAILORED TO AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES, INCLUDING GRADE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION VENUES. THIS MAY INCLUDE SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES AND FIELD ACTIVITIES THAT EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT OUR NATIONS' HISTORY. PAL ALSO DISSEMINATES INFORMATION TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS ON A REGIONAL AND (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O)NATIONAL LEVEL THROUGH ITS PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONS. PAL ALSO PROMOTES SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH SUPPORTING OUR STAFF IN THEIR ACADEMIC PURSUITS.

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 February 1985.

    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.