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The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village Inc

EIN 14-2003090 · Sanibel, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE, SHARE, AND CELEBRATE SANIBEL'S HISTORY. OUR GOAL IS TO FOSTER AN UNDERSTANDING OF AND APPRECIATION OF THE HISTORY OF SANIBEL, TO ACT AS A RESOURCE FOR VARIOUS CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS, AS WELL AS TO ENCOURAGE THE PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND COMPATIBLE RE-USE OF SANIBEL'S HISTORIC RESOURCES.

Income
$285,505
Spending
$320,189
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
54.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
4
Highest pay
$77,290, exec directo

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

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    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 September 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. $198,424 spent. THE VILLAGE CONSISTS OF NINE (9) AUTHENTIC,HISTORICALLY RESTORED BUILDINGS, EACH REPRESENTING AN ASPECT OF PIONEER LIFE. THERE IS A SCHOOLHOUSE, A FISHING COTTAGE, A "SNOWBIRD" COTTAGE, A GENERAL STORE AND TEA ROOM. ADMISSIONS WERE UP 10% OVER LAST YEAR. THE MUSEUM HOSTED SPECIAL TOURS DURING THE SEASON. THESE SPECIAL TOURS ARE GEARED TOTALLY TOWARD EDUCATION, AGAIN FULFILLING OUR MISSION TO PRESERVE, SHARE, AND CELEBRATE SANIBEL'S HISTORY. EACH TOUR IS HOSTED BY ONE OR TWO EXPERIENCED TOUR GUIDES AND RANGES FROM 1-1/2 TO TWO HOURS.
  2. $3,427 spent. THE MUSEUM OFFERED TWO TWILIGHT TALKS DURING THE SEASON WITH APPROXIMATELY 200 PEOPLE ATTENDING EACH TALK. THIS PROGRAM IS ONE OF OUR BEST VEHICLES FOR EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ISLAND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE MUSEUM. BY THESE TALKS, WE ARE FULFILLING OUR MISSION. THE TALKS INCLUDED: - THE HISTORY OF TARPON BAY - GOD AND SANIBEL: THE HISTORY OF RELIGION ON SANIBEL
  3. THE MUSEUM OFFERED THREE VOLUNTEER UPDATE EVENTS. THESE ARE CASUAL LUNCH- TIME TALKS FOR VOLUNTEERS AND MEMBERS AT THE 150 LEVEL OR ABOVE. THEIR PURPOSE IS EDUCATION, AND THEY ARE USUALLY ATTENDED BY ABOUT 60 PEOPLE, THE FULL CAPACITY OF OUR ON-SITE LOCATION. THE TALKS WERE: - STATE OF THE VILLAGE AND ITS FUTURE (EXPENSES AND REVENUE ZERO) - OUR BUILDINGS HAVE A PAST (EXPENSES AND REVENUE ZERO) - GROWING UP ON THE BAY (EXPENSES AND REVENUE ZERO) THE VILLAGE ALSO HELD FUN MULE APPRECIATION WEEK TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF MULES TO THE ISLAND PIONEERS. THERE IS A NEW MULE EXHIBIT PERFECT FOR PICTURE TAKING AND SPECIAL ITEMS FOR SALE IN THE GIFT SHOP.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 November 2007.

    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.