National Museum of Americans in Wartime
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
Points to look into
- Only 31% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
A museum honoring Americans who served in battle and on the home front in the 20th Century
- Income
- $152,535
- Spending
- $428,001
- Spent on programs
- 31%
- Reserves
- 14.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $185,000, ceo
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 181% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1531% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 47 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $41,045 spent. The Oral History Project is also referred to as the Voices of Freedom Project. This project provides Veterans of Wartime and those serving on The Home Front an opportunity to record and preserve their stories. Stories are captured on video and a copy is provided to the Veteran. Additionally, a copy is provided to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.WHEN THE MUSEUMS FACILITY OPENS, VARIOUS ADDITIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS WILL BE OFFERED. ONE PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON EDUCATING YOUNG VISITORS ABOUT HOW THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE MADE THEIR OWN LIVES POSSIBLE. ADULT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WILL INCLUDE WORKSHOPS, LECTURES AND ROUNDTABLES ON DIVERSE TOPICS ABOUT THE AMERICAN WARTIME EXPERIENCE. THE MUSEUM HAS A FORMAL PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, WHICH WILL APPLY THE RESOURCES OF GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITYS HIGHLY REGARDED DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND ART HISTORY AS WELL AS ITS CENTER FOR HISTORY AND THE NEWS MEDIA TO THE MUSEUMS EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
- $93,439 spent. Conduct Activities and special events to honor Americans who served in battle and on the homefront during military conflicts in the 20th and 21st centuries. THE MUSEUM HOLDS AN ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE THAT PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN BY PURCHASING AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP, VIEW A VEHICLE COLLECTION OF OVER 100 MILITARY VEHICLES FROM VARIOUS ERAS OF WAR, VIEW LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXHIBITS, AND PARTICIPATE IN MANY FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. ONCE THE MUSEUM OPENS, THE VEHICLES WILL BE ON PERMANENT DISPLAY AND USED FOR LIVE-ACTION DEMONSTRATIONS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of July 30, 2007. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.