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Ward Melville Heritage Organization Ltd

EIN 11-2440592 · Stony Brook, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY ENHANCING AND INTERPRETING ITS HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PROPERTIES AND BY UTILIZING STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$580,601
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
0
Volunteers
275

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 333% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $2.1 million spent. By utilizing its historic and natural properties The WMHO provides people of all ages with diverse ways to engage in their surroundings. Three national and state register historic properties with ties to George Washingtons Culper Spy Rings are owned and interpreted by The WMHO. These properties include the Brewster House (c. 1655), The Thompson House (c. 1709), and The Stony Brook Grist Mill (c. 1751). The WMHOs educational and interpretive staff utilize these properties for school tours, lectures, and other educational programs throughout the year. The addition of distance learning equipment at the Brewster House and the Thompson House allows The WMHO to engage classes that cannot physically visit the site with the stories of the families that lived in these properties. Students from as far away as South Dakota have taken advantage of the distance learning technology that allows The WMHO to bring history to life. The WMHO environmental properties include an 88-acre wetland preserve and the Ernst Marine Conservation Center. Access to the 88-acre wetland preserve is led by naturalists on a 27-passenger pontoon boat. Naturalists point out the diverse species that call the wetlands home, pointing out animals of interest as the tour winds through the wetlands. The Ernst Marine Conservation Center houses two classrooms, touch tanks, and scientific equipment that encourage scientific discovery. As with the historic properties distance learning technology is a key component of the programs at the Ernst Marine Conservation Center. The Long Island Sound Connections program helps to bridge the Long Island Sound and connect students with peers on the opposite side. Students from both Long Island and Connecticut explore the Long Island Sound from their location and analyze differences and explore what causes these differences. This program allows students to engage with nature, while also learning how the behaviors of humans affect this important body of water. Beyond school programs, The WMHO engages visitors through a variety of community events bringing art, culture, music and dance to the community. Annually the programs of The WMHO are attended by over 10,000 people.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 September 1998.

    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.