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Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Museum and Library Foundation

EIN 05-0565638 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PIERRE CLAEYSSENS VETERANS FOUNDATION WAS FOUNDED IN 2003 WITH A GOAL TO CELEBRATE THE "GREATEST GENERATION." SANTA BARBARA AND THE TRI-COUNTIES PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN WWII AND ITS MEN AND WOMEN HAVE A PROUD HISTORY OF SERVICE TO THE NATION. THE FOUNDATION HOLDS VARIOUS ALL VETERANS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SUPPORT AND HONOR THE SOUTH COASTS VETERANS.

Income
$81,667
Spending
$246,977
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-32.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$29,250, vice president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 202% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 13 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 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 (2)
  1. $167,400 spent. MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO PROMOTE THE MUSEUM AND VETERANS, INCLUDING THE VETERANS BALL TO WHICH 550 VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL ATTENDED TO HEAR FROM DINNER SPEAKERS AND TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND ARE SERVING.
  2. $19,216 spent. THE PCVF SPONSORS AND ORGANIZES VARIOUS EVENTS DURING THE YEAR THAT HONOR VETERANS INCLUDING PARADES, FLY-BYS, LUNCHEONS, MOVING WALL AND SPEAKERS FROM THE UNITED STATES, ENGLAND, CANADA, AND FRANCE. THESE EVENTS OFTEN COMMEMORATE HISTORICAL DATES IN MILITARY HISTORY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO D-DAY, VE-DAY, ETC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 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 November 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 November 2003.

    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.