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Stamford Historical Society Inc

EIN 06-6039238 · Stamford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE STAMFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC., THE MUNICIPAL HISTORIAN OF STAMFORD, IS AN EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTION, WHOSE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS ARE TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, CONSERVE, INTERPRET, AND EXHIBIT MATERIALS RELATING TO STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT AND OUR REGION IN ORDER TO ENGAGE CITIZENS IN THE TELLING OF THEIR STORIES.

Income
$157,521
Spending
$115,488
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
39.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 31%
Employees
0
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$24,000, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.2 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 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 59 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (3)
  1. $26,498 spent. EXHIBITS - THE STAMFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAINTAINS A COLLECTION OF OBJECTS, TEXTILES, FURNITURE AND CLOTHING REFLECTING THE DIVERSE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF STAMFORD. EACH YEAR A SELECTION OF THESE IS PUT ON DISPLAY.
  2. $33,010 spent. EDUCATION - THE STAMFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAINTAINS DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS FOR HISTORICAL AND GENEOLOGICAL RESEARCH. THE SOCIETY ALSO PROVIDES IN-CLASSROOM AND ON-SITE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF STAMFORD.
  3. $12,776 spent. HOYT BARNUM HOUSE - THE STAMFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAINTAINS THE OLDEST HOUSE IN STAMFORD, CT., A NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, WHICH IS OPEN FOR EDUCATIONAL TOURS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 December 1942.

    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.