Little Compton Historical Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Preservation of historical buildings, artifacts, and related community education.
- Income
- $317,449
- Spending
- $390,040
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 53.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $90,926, 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 53.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $199,514 spent. The Sakonnet History project is an ongoing effort to work with Indigenous knowledge keepers to research, preserve, and share the history of the Sakonnet Wampanoag. Now in its public-facing phase, the Sakonnet History projects offers regular Indigenous programming at the Little Compton Historical Society and is developing two new exhibits, scheduled to open in June 2025 and two new local history books focused on the history and culture of the Sakonnet people. The estimated attendance for related programming in 2024 is 1000 people, with a documented online audience of 30,000.
- $56,237 spent. Museum Program: The organization collects, preserves, and presents early landmarks of historical significance to the Town of Little Compton for the education and enrichment of the community. LCHS maintains historic buildings including Wilbor House, Friends Meeting House, Archival Barn,19th Century Barn, 19th Century Carriage House, Peggotty Artist Studio, Peaked Top School, Corn Crib, Privy, and the Chicken Food Cookhouse. The collection includes approximately 13,000 objects, photos, and documents relating to the history of Little Compton.
- $25,861 spent. Little Compton Connected: A Local Transportation Story was a special exhibition that explored the history of transportation in Little Compton from the time of the Sakonnet Wampanoag people to the present day. The exhibit focused on the connections that linked Little Compton with the outside world in ways that are surprising to us today because of Little Comptons current rural nature.
- $15,517 spent. Education Program: The organization runs youth summer camps, school programs, and adult programs that serve to educate the community about the history of Little Compton. The education program serves approximately 500 participants per year.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1955.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.