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Connecticut Historical Society

EIN 06-6026012 · Hartford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the CHS is to cultivate deep understanding of the history and culture of Connecticut, and its role in America and the world, through reflection of the past, active engagement with the present, and innovation for the future through our collections, research, educational programs, and exhibitions. The CHSs vision is to work with an inclusive audience to promote historical and cultural perspectives as essential tools to connect with others, shape communities, and make informed decisions.

Income
$16.1 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
43.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 80%
Employees
61
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$305,532, ceo & exec. dir

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 612% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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 (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT - MANAGES THE DIVERSE COLLECTIONS MATERIALS (BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, FURNITURE, COSTUMES AND MANY OTHER OBJECTS) RELATED TO CONNECTICUT'S MATERIAL CULTURE FROM THE LATE 17TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT.
  2. $948,030 spent. EDUCATION - PROMOTES THE STUDY AND ENJOYMENT OF CONNECTICUT HISTORY THROUGH SCHOOL GROUP AND ADULT PROGRAMS, TOURS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.
  3. $533,056 spent. EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS - DEVELOPS AND DISPLAYS THEMED EXHIBITIONS RELATED TO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CONNECTICUT HISTORY, ALONG WITH ACCOMPANYING LECTURES AND BOOK TALKS.
  4. $425,403 spent. Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program - Serves as the state's official folk and traditional arts initiative, working with communities to document, present, and sustain valuable cultural heritage.
  5. $272,572 spent. COLLECTIONS ACCESS/RESEARCH CENTER - MAINTAINS AND OPERATES A LIBRARY THAT PROVIDES BOOKS, PHOTOGRAPHS, MICROFILMS, GENEALOGY AND OTHER MATERIALS RELEVANT TO CONNECTICUT HISTORY AND MANAGES THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE COLLECTIONS USED AND SOUGHT BY RESEARCHERS, GENEALOGISTS AND ACADEMIC SCHOLARS.

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 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 December 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 October 1934.

    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.