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Sacrmento History Alliance Inc

EIN 20-0184455 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission of the Sacramento History Alliance, Inc. is to work in partnership with the City of Sacramento, the State of California, property owners, merchants and other stakeholders in their common goal of improving Old Sacramento State Historic Park as a local, regional and national historic and cultural asset by preserving and protecting the historic district, and conducting successful interpretive, historical and entertainment programs.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
52
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$101,890, exec. dir./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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $556,019 spent. The Sacramento History Museum's program mission is to explore, interpret and display the region's history from the days before the California Gold Rush to the present. This diverse, and at times dramatic history unfolds throughout the Museum's galleries. The Sacramento History Museum also offers the perfect starting point for exploring Old Sacramento State Historic Park and for understanding how the area developed and grew to the vibrant community it is today. This existing museum program has expanded dramatically due to the City of Sacramento's grant and usage of the city building facilities located in the Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Patronage of The Sacramento History Museum has increased significantly to approximately 57,000 visitors in the current fiscal year.
  2. $282,920 spent. The Historic Education Program is designed to broaden the historic experience for visitors to Old Sacramento. This includes self-guided tour booklets, informative signs near the Sacramento River, historical scripts for horse-carriage drivers and period dress for the horse-carriage drivers. The program works with the City of Sacramento in the creation of a newsletter and web site to inform the general public of Sacramento's history during the period 1849 to 1870. A history summer camp is provided for children ages 8-12 years of age and during the academic school year School Groups are provided educational programs which cover a variety of historical topics related to early California history. Adult Groups are also provided educational programs which cover similar historical topics mentioned above.
  3. $178,600 spent. The Old Sacramento Underground Tours Program was added to enhance and broaden the historic experience for visitors to the Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Guided tours are provided to visitors who are given an introduction to early Sacramento and then are escorted beneath several Old Sacramento historic buildings to see excavated building foundations, exposed brick retaining walls, and Sacramento's famous "hollow sidewalks". In prior fiscal years, expenditures were incurred in order to make structural and safety improvements to Old Sacramento Historic Buildings, construct pedestrian walkways, install lighting fixtures, and improve handicap accessibility to the historic buildings. Patronage of The Old Sacramento Underground Tours Program was well received and served approximately 16,500 visitors in the current fiscal year.
  4. $158,185 spent. The Old Sacramento History Program includes historical events in Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Historical Events such as living history days, walking tours and architectural tours help to increase visitor participation and enjoyment of Historical Old Sacramento.
  5. $121,937 spent. The Sacramento Visitors Center program provides information for the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront district as well as the greater Sacramento area. The information available for visitors includes area & district maps, educational exhibits, artifact displays, and interactive experiences. Information is available for the various tours, educational programs, and tickets for these activities may be purchased at the Sacramento Visitors Center. This Sacramento Visitors Center program enhances the visibility and promotes the visitation of the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront district. The Visitors Center has served several thousand tourists during this current fiscal year.

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 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 June 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 June 2004.

    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.

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