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Kent Historical Society Inc

EIN 06-0850105 · Kent, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 28% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OF KENT

Income
$164,505
Spending
$130,937
Spent on programs
28%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 78%
Employees
4
Volunteers
10

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    28% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (1)
  1. $36,742 spent. OUR MISSION IS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE AND PRESENT WRITINGS, ARTIFACTS & MEMORABILIA PORTRAYING KENTS HERITAGE FROM PRE-COLONIAL TIMES TO THE PRESENT. THE SOCIETY STRIVES TO BE THE PREMIER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER FOR ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF KENT AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. TO THIS END, IT MAINTAINS ARCHIVES IN THE TALLMAN HOUSE AS WELL AS A MUSEUM WITH A ROTATION OF DISPLAYS AT SEVEN HEARTHS, A 1754 HOUSE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF KENT. THERE IS ALSO A COLLECTION OF ARTIFACTS AT THE TALLMAN HOUSE IN KENT, AND THE SOCIETY OWNS A PRE-REVOLUTIONARY ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE ON SKIFF MT. IN KENT, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY APPOINTMENT. THE POPULATION OF THE TOWN OF KENT IS CURRENTLY 3300, AND THE NUMBER OF RESEARCHERS USING THE KENT HISTORICAL SOCIETY FILES IS INCREASING STEADILY. WE ARE THE PRIMARY SOURCE AMOUNG THE SURROUNDING TOWNS FOR INFORMATION ON THE NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION, AND GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 October 13, 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 September 2025.

    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 January 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 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.