Greater Astoria Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Society, along with our associate, Forgotten NY have earned the respect of Queens Borough (and beyond!) for our tireless output of programs, news features (we have 4 boro wide with a readership well into the 6 figures), tours (we have covered most Queens communities, book publishing, school programs)
- Income
- $32,674
- Spending
- $33,172
- Reserves
- -12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $65,000 spent. The historical society and its affilate, the legendary Forgotten NY, has a strong and quite lively programs delivered to the public in lecture spaces, outdoor locatons, and a new effort to each out to school children at their schools. This year we are doing a series on year Revolutionary War locations in Queens, in the process of redoing our website, and have by-lines in Queens with three papers with a total readership of about 400,000. We are also involved in advocating the 150 year old Reformed Church of Astoria, a victom of a recent fire, into a community center.
- $10,000 spent. The Society has on record one of the most comprehensive image databases of New York City (yes, including seldom seen images of Queens) through the generosity the late William Steinway and Bob Stonehill (known as the "Post Card Man." A donation was granted to us last month of a major fashion photographer - 70 cartons of slides recording New York in the past 60 years. This year we have developed a series of outstanding programs around the Revolutoinary War in Queens (including the Blackwell Door). We REMAIN A source of images for authors, institutions, and the film industry (we helped Baz Lurhman with Great Gatzby - he got an Acedemy Award on Set Design us a special mention.)
- $5,500 spent. One of our favorite programs are Senior Books Groups. This year we are in the process of selecting readings for the year - on the docket for summer includes Driving While Blak, Jazz, Mad Bomber of New York, Shadows on the Hudsion, and Manhattan Transfer. We recently parntered with the the 150 Year Old Astoria Masonic Hall on sharing their space for both exhibits and lectures open to the general public. About $5000 is being allocated for an exhibit of the American Revoultion in New York City as well as a series of lectures to the public and local schools.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.