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Blithewold Inc

EIN 05-0503407 · Bristol, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE AND SHARE THE HORTICULTURE, HISTORY AND BEAUTY OF BLITHEWOLD AS AN AUTHENTIC 'COUNTRY PLACE ERA' WATERFRONT ESTATE WITH THE FOUNDING FAMILY'S DISTINCTIVE ARBORETUM, GARDENS, MANSION AND COLLECTIONS.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
32.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 30%
Employees
74
Volunteers
93
Highest pay
$180,267, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 February 28, 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 (3)
  1. $931,732 spent. PRESERVATION - TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE HISTORICAL MANSION AND OUTBUILDINGS, ARBORETUM AND GROUNDS. PROPERTIES ARE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND A BALANCE IS MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE SITE USE AND PRESERVATION EFFORTS. MEMBER & VISITOR SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFERS TOURS AND SPONSORS EVENTS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ITS MEMBERS AND VISITORS IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ESTATE'S CULTURAL AND HISTORIC HERITAGE, AND BUILD A GREATER AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION FOR THE ART AND SCIENCE OF HORTICULTURE.
  2. $1.1 million spent. MEMBER & VISITOR SERVICES-OFFER TOURS AND SPONSOR EVENTS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF MEMBERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC IN ORDER TO FURTHER AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ESTATE'S CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE. CULTIVATE MEMBERSHIPS FOR BLITHEWOLD. BLITHEWOLD MANSION, GARDENS & ARBORETUM HAS 1,400 MEMBERS, 35,000 VISITORS (ESTIMATED) ANNUALLY. THE PROPERTY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 365 DAYS A YEAR AND THE MANSION IS OPEN 120 DAYS A YEAR.
  3. $106,111 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS - VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL CLASSES ARE OFFERED TO MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC YEAR ROUND. TOPICS ARE BASED ON THE SCIENCE OF HORTICULTURE, GARDEN MAINTENANCE, LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN PRINCIPLES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 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 February 2025.

    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 January 2000.

    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.