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Friends of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House Incorporated

EIN 20-3642161 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We sustain and grow the legacy of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the Beecher familys Cincinnati home and its time as the Edgemont Inn. We facilitate historical exploration, inspire positive change, and support dialogue about social issues related to that heritage.

Income
$251,465
Spending
$230,579
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
9.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
6
Volunteers
56
Highest pay
$52,169, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (1)
  1. $166,202 spent. The Harriet Beecher Stowe House is a historic house museum and cultural site that is part of the Ohio History Connection network. We offer a dual time period interpretation focusing on 1840 and 1940. We tell the story of Harriet and the 18 years that she spent in Cincinnati as instrumental in developing her anti-slavery passion and enabling her to write Uncle Toms Cabin. We also tell the story of the houses role as the Edgemont Inn, an African American boarding house, tavern, and community space in the 1930s and 1940s. Through restoration, some parts of the House look like 1840 and other parts look like 1940 - furnishings, floor coverings, wall coverings. By sharing the story of abolitionism and equity in the 19th century, we can relate her words and deeds to the Houses role in the civil rights concerns of the 20th century and social justice issues today. 2024 programs include the following great events: Semi-Colon Club - Book Discussion (HBS volunteers serve as facilitators) February, April, June, August and October Power of Voice Discussion Group (John Getz as facilitator) February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December Lecture/Panel Discussion Series - March - The Complexities of Gender - Catharine Beecher - Laura Ping April - Knowing Him By Heart - Matthew Norman May - Cincinnatis Lost Founders Panel Discussion - Jennifer Williams August - Driving the Green Book Panel Discussion - Abigail Zhang December - A Harriet Beecher Stowe Christmas - Pamela McColl Film Screening - February - Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask Our educational programming has continued to increase: School Group Tours Educational Outreach, Adult Outreach Programs, Walking Tours - African American and Abolitionists in Walnut Hills, Walking Tours - African American History Along the Riverfront, Pen as Pulpit Specialty Presentation. Special Events: June - Harriets Birthday Party, Civic Season, July - Housewarming Events with - ribbon cutting celebration, family activity day, artist activitiy day, September - Community Jazz Concert, Ohio Open Doors October - PB and Jam Concert

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 August 2006.

    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.