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Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame

EIN 14-1368198 · Goshen, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HARNESS RACING MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME IS DEDICATED TO COMPREHENSIVE, ACTIVE AND AUTHORITATIVE SUPPORT AND PROMOTION OF THE STANDARDBRED RACING THROUGH DOCUMENTATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF THIS AMERICAN-BORN SPORT. IT WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO AUGMENT EXISTING COLLECTIONS AND PROVIDE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND EXCITING EXHIBITRY TO EXPAND HARNESS RACING'S INTEREST APPEAL, BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, TO ASSURE AN INFORMED AUDIENCE AND A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
34.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 48%
Employees
20
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$162,865, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 April 30, 2026, 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. $239,382 spent. EXHIBITS: DISPLAY THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE TROTTING HORSE AND ITS IMPACT ON U.S. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY. THE HISTORIC COLLECTIONS CONTAIN OVER 30,000 OBJECTS.ADMISSIONS TO THE MUSEUM WERE 1901. THE MUSEUM'S THREE TRAVELLING EXHIBITS WERE SHOWN AT NUMEROUS VENUES IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD.
  2. $301,650 spent. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFERED TO SCHOOL CHILDREN RELATING TO THE TROTTING HORSE; DISTRIBUTION OF POSTERS, BROCHURES AND NEWSLETTERS.THE MUSEUM HOSTED 7613 STUDENTS. 527 ATTENDED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS.THE MUSEUM ALSO CONDUCTS THE ANNUAL HARNESS RACING HALL OF FAME AWARDS CEREMONY, WHICH IS OPEN TO PUBLIC.THE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP SOLD EDUCATIONAL ITEMS RELATED TO HARNESS RACING AND ITS HISTORY.
  3. $344,334 spent. LIBRARY AND RESEARCH: THE MUSEUM OFFERS A DIVERSITY OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, AND IT FURNISHES ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO INTERESTED PARTIES.THE MUSEUM'S DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES RESPONDED TO 60 RESEARCH REQUESTS VIA MUSEUM WEBSITE, EMAIL AND TELEPHONE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, 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 November 6, 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 April 2026.

    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 February 1951.

    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 November 4, 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.