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Foundation for Mississippi History

EIN 20-2649529 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONDUCT FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO HELP SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
24

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISSISSIPPIANS TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR HISTORY. THROUGH THE WILLIAM AND ELISE WINTER EDUCATION ENDOWMENT, THE FOUNDATION HAS PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN TO VISIT THE TWO MISSISSIPPI MUSEUMS, WITH A GOAL OF REACHING EVERY STUDENT IN THE STATE. IT ALSO SUPPORTS PUBLIC PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE HISTORY IS LUNCH LECTURE SERIES, JUNETEENTH JUBILEE, AND THE MISSISSIPPI MAKERS FEST. ADDITIONAL EFFORTS INCLUDE TEACHER TRAINING, CLASSROOM MATERIALS, AND TRAVELING EXHIBITS THAT BRING HISTORY DIRECTLY INTO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.
  2. $345,120 spent. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY (MDAH). THE FOUNDATION RAISED FUNDS FOR THE FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUM OF MISSISSIPPI HISTORY AND THE MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM. ONGOING INITIATIVES INCLUDE SUPPORTING A HISTORIC PRESERVATION TRADE SCHOOL AT HISTORIC JEFFERSON COLLEGE, INVESTING IN GREEN SPACE EXPANSION TO COMPLETE THE TWO MISSISSIPPI MUSEUMS CAMPUS, UPDATING CURRENT MUSEUM EXHIBITS, ACQUIRING NEW EXHIBITS FOR THE PLANNED VICKSBURG CIVIL WAR INTERPRETIVE CENTER, AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT MDAH OPERATED HISTORIC SITES ACROSS THE STATE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 May 2005.

    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.