Hull House Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE HULL HOUSE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO HELP OUR CITIZENS LEARN OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE TO THE SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY BY THE EARLY PIONEERS TO OUR REGION. . . BY PRESERVING AND RESTORING THE 1810 HULL FAMILY HOME & FARMSTEAD; BY CONSERVING, REBUILDING, HOLDING, MAINTAINING, PRESENTING AND INTERPRETING THE 1810 WARREN & POLLY HULL HOUSE AND GROUNDS; BY ENGAGING, INFORMING AND INSPIRING PEOPLE AS THEY LEARN ABOUT THIS HISTORIC DWELLING, ITS BUILDERS AND INHABITANTS AND THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED DURING ITS PERIOD OF PRIME SIGNIFICANCE;
- Income
- $258,895
- Spending
- $76,452
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -128.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 0
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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 99% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- OUR STRATEGY TO EXECUTE THIS MISSION IS TO FIRST PROVIDE A HISTORICALLY ACCURATE SETTING (CAMPUS) THAT CAN PROVIDE CONTEXT TO THOSE WHO ATTEND OUR TOURS AND FORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE ANCHOR OF THIS SETTING IS THE HISTORIC HOUSE THAT WAS BUILT BY THE HULL FAMILY AROUND 1810 AND SERVED AS A FARMSTEAD WITH MANY OUT BUILDINGS ON THE SITE SUCH AS A BARN, A ROOT CELLAR, AND WATER WELL. THE ONLY STRUCTURE REMAINING ON WHAT WAS AN OVER 300 ACRES FARMSTEAD IS THE HISTORIC HOME, CONSTRUCTED OF LIMESTONE, WHICH IS NOW FULLY RENOVATED. AFTER YEARS OF RESEARCH, WE HAVE DETERMINED WHAT OTHER STRUCTURES WERE PRESENT AND WHERE THEY WERE ON THE SITE. WE HAVE RECONSTRUCTED THOSE BUILDINGS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES WITH DESIGN AND MATERIALS THAT CLOSELY MATCH THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN 1810-1830. OUR STRATEGY TO EXECUTE THIS MISSION IS TO FIRST PROVIDE A HISTORICALLY ACCURATE SETTING (CAMPUS) THAT CAN PROVIDE CONTEXT TO THOSE WHO ATTEND OUR TOURS AND FORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE ANCHOR OF THIS SETTING IS THE HISTORIC HOUSE THAT WAS BUILT BY THE HULL FAMILY AROUND 1810 AND SERVED AS A FARMSTEAD WITH MANY OUT BUILDINGS ON THE SITE SUCH AS A BARN, A ROOT CELLAR, AND WATER WELL. THE ONLY STRUCTURE REMAINING ON WHAT WAS AN OVER 300 ACRES FARMSTEAD IS THE HISTORIC HOME, CONSTRUCTED OF LIMESTONE, WHICH IS NOW FULLY RENOVATED. AFTER YEARS OF RESEARCH, WE HAVE DETERMINED WHAT OTHER STRUCTURES WERE PRESENT AND WHERE THEY WERE ON THE SITE. WE HAVE RECONSTRUCTED THOSE BUILDINGS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES WITH DESIGN AND MATERIALS THAT CLOSELY MATCH THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN 1810-1830.
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO OFFER SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE TARGETED TO BOTH STUDENTS AND ADULTS TO ACCOMPLISH OUR PRIMARY MISSION. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER SEVERAL WELL DEVELOPED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ARE CONSISTENTLY DEVELOPING NEW ONES. EXAMPLES OF OUR TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS: "HISTORY CAMP FOR KIDS" SINCE 2008, THE HULL FAMILY HOME & FARMSTEAD HAS ORGANIZED AND PRODUCED A SERIES OF DAY CAMPING EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS WE CALL "HISTORY CAMP FOR KIDS". WE INVITE STUDENTS ENTERING FOURTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE TO SPEND A FULL WEEK LEARNING ABOUT LIFE ON THE WESTERN NEW YORK FRONTIER IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY. FROM TEXTILES TO NATIVE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS, TO CANDLE DIPPING , QUILL WRITING, ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS, TO FOOD PREPARATION, TO WOODWORKING AND THE WARS THE FAMILY WAS ENGAGED IN, AND MORE, CAMPERS ARE EXPOSED TO MANY ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS IMPORTANT PERIOD IN AMERICAN HISTORY. IN 2024, THE CAMP SESSIONS WERE ATTENDED BY 23 STUDENTS. "MEET OUR PAST" TOURS, WHEREBY VISITORS WALK TO VARIOUS STATIONS VIEWIN VIGNETTES, WHICH DRAMATIZED HISTORIC EVENTS. WE ALSO CONDUCTED TWENTY-FOUR CLASSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THREE DIFFERENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH OVER 600 CHILDREN ATTENDING. THE TOURS INCLUDE DOCENT LED TOURS OF THE RESTORED HULL HOUSE AND THE FAMILY CEMETERY, AS WELL AS AN EXAMINATION OF THE HULL FAMILY TREE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN PIONEER GAMES, VISITED THE KITCHEN GARDEN AND LEARNED ABOUT MEDICINAL PLANTS, AND ARE INTRODUCED TO TOOLS AND CHORES OF THE PERIOD. LIVING HISTORY LECTURE SERIES. DURING THE SEASON, WE SCHEDULED MONTHLY LECTURES BY GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE IN SPECIFIC SUBJECTS, SUCH AS THE WAR OF 1812, MEDICINAL PLANTS, AND PERIOD CLOTHING. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2024, WE HOSTED LECTURES BY: TOM SCHOBERT, AUTHOR OF "HUSH THE CANNON'S ROAR" TERRY WOLF, A QUILTING EXPERT "HANDS-ON HERITAGE" DAYS. THIS PROGRAM SERIES IS OFFERED MONTHLY IN THE SUMMER AND FALL. FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THEMED PERIOD ACTIVITIES RELATING TO EVENTS SUCH AS MAY DAY, FOURTH OF JULY, HARVEST SEASON AND OTHERS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO OFFER SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE TARGETED TO BOTH STUDENTS AND ADULTS TO ACCOMPLISH OUR PRIMARY MISSION. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER SEVERAL WELL DEVELOPED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ARE CONSISTENTLY DEVELOPING NEW ONES. EXAMPLES OF OUR TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS: "HISTORY CAMP FOR KIDS" SINCE 2008, THE HULL FAMILY HOME & FARMSTEAD HAS ORGANIZED AND PRODUCED A SERIES OF DAY CAMPING EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS WE CALL "HISTORY CAMP FOR KIDS". WE INVITE STUDENTS ENTERING FOURTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE TO SPEND A FULL WEEK LEARNING ABOUT LIFE ON THE WESTERN NEW YORK FRONTIER IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY. FROM TEXTILES TO NATIVE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS, TO CANDLE DIPPING , QUILL WRITING, ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS, TO FOOD PREPARATION, TO WOODWORKING AND THE WARS THE FAMILY WAS ENGAGED IN, AND MORE, CAMPERS ARE EXPOSED TO MANY ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS IMPORTANT PERIOD IN AMERICAN HISTORY. IN 2024, THE CAMP SESSIONS WERE ATTENDED BY 23 STUDENTS. "MEET OUR PAST" TOURS, WHEREBY VISITORS WALK TO VARIOUS STATIONS VIEWIN VIGNETTES, WHICH DRAMATIZED HISTORIC EVENTS. WE ALSO CONDUCTED TWENTY-FOUR CLASSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THREE DIFFERENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH OVER 600 CHILDREN ATTENDING. THE TOURS INCLUDE DOCENT LED TOURS OF THE RESTORED HULL HOUSE AND THE FAMILY CEMETERY, AS WELL AS AN EXAMINATION OF THE HULL FAMILY TREE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN PIONEER GAMES, VISITED THE KITCHEN GARDEN AND LEARNED ABOUT MEDICINAL PLANTS, AND ARE INTRODUCED TO TOOLS AND CHORES OF THE PERIOD. LIVING HISTORY LECTURE SERIES. DURING THE SEASON, WE SCHEDULED MONTHLY LECTURES BY GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE IN SPECIFIC SUBJECTS, SUCH AS THE WAR OF 1812, MEDICINAL PLANTS, AND PERIOD CLOTHING. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2024, WE HOSTED LECTURES BY: TOM SCHOBERT, AUTHOR OF "HUSH THE CANNON'S ROAR" TERRY WOLF, A QUILTING EXPERT "HANDS-ON HERITAGE" DAYS. THIS PROGRAM SERIES IS OFFERED MONTHLY IN THE SUMMER AND FALL. FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THEMED PERIOD ACTIVITIES RELATING TO EVENTS SUCH AS MAY DAY, FOURTH OF JULY, HARVEST SEASON AND OTHERS.
- SITE DEVELOPMENT: WITH THE RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC FARM HOUSE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS SHIFTED ITS FOCUS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FARMSTEAD GROUNDS. THIS INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION/RECREATION OF SEVERAL STRUCTURES THAT WERE PART OF THE HULL FAMILY FARMING OPERATIONS BUT HAVE LONG BEEN DEMOLISHED. WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN 2024 ON SEVERAL IMPORTANT PROJECTS: THRESHING BARN PROJECT WE COMPLETED THIS COMPLEX AND EXPENSIVE PROJECT IN THE FALL OF 2024 FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS OF PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, AND CONSTRUCTION. THE PROJECT INCLUDED THE ACQUISITION OF A 200 YEAR OLD BARN IN CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE THAT WAS DISASSEMBLED, TRANSPORTED, AND PROFESSIONALLY RECONSTRUCTED ON THE HULL HOUSE SITE. THE HULL FAMILY WERE GRAIN CROP FARMERS, SO THIS SPECIALLY DESIGNED BARN PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE PROCESSING AND STORAGE OF THE HARVESTED CROPS. ROOT CELLAR PROJECT WE ALSO FULLY COMPLETED THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FAMILY ROOT CELLAR IN 2024. THE FOUNDATION WAS UNEARTHED OVER TEN YEARS AGO BY OUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS. THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ARE A MIX OF STONE AND LUMBER, BUILT PARTIALLY UNDERGROUND. THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE STORED THEIR ROOT VEGETABLES AND OTHER PERISHABLES IN A NATURALLY TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS THIS. MAINTENANCE BARN OUR VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED INTERIOR CLEAN-OUT AND RENOVATIONS TO OUR MAINTENANCE BARN IN 2024. WE ALSO HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED A NEW ROOF, PAINTED THE EXTERIOR, AND REPLACED AND REPAIRED WINDOWS. WE MAINTAIN ALMOST THIRTY ACRES OF LAND AND FIVE BUILDINGS THAT REQUIRE CONSTANT MAINTENANCE, SO THIS IS A CRITICAL BUILDING TO HELP SERVE THOSE EFFORTS. GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE HISTORIC HOUSE AND NEW THRESHING BARN, INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS, REMOVAL OF OLD DAMAGED FENCES AND A START OF THE REMOVAL OF OLD CONCRETE THAT A FORMER OWNER HAD INSTALLED FOR PARKING. SITE DEVELOPMENT: WITH THE RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC FARM HOUSE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS SHIFTED ITS FOCUS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FARMSTEAD GROUNDS. THIS INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION/RECREATION OF SEVERAL STRUCTURES THAT WERE PART OF THE HULL FAMILY FARMING OPERATIONS BUT HAVE LONG BEEN DEMOLISHED. WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN 2024 ON SEVERAL IMPORTANT PROJECTS: THRESHING BARN PROJECT WE COMPLETED THIS COMPLEX AND EXPENSIVE PROJECT IN THE FALL OF 2024 FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS OF PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, AND CONSTRUCTION. THE PROJECT INCLUDED THE ACQUISITION OF A 200 YEAR OLD BARN IN CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE THAT WAS DISASSEMBLED, TRANSPORTED, AND PROFESSIONALLY RECONSTRUCTED ON THE HULL HOUSE SITE. THE HULL FAMILY WERE GRAIN CROP FARMERS, SO THIS SPECIALLY DESIGNED BARN PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE PROCESSING AND STORAGE OF THE HARVESTED CROPS. ROOT CELLAR PROJECT WE ALSO FULLY COMPLETED THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FAMILY ROOT CELLAR IN 2024. THE FOUNDATION WAS UNEARTHED OVER TEN YEARS AGO BY OUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS. THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ARE A MIX OF STONE AND LUMBER, BUILT PARTIALLY UNDERGROUND. THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE STORED THEIR ROOT VEGETABLES AND OTHER PERISHABLES IN A NATURALLY TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS THIS. MAINTENANCE BARN OUR VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED INTERIOR CLEAN-OUT AND RENOVATIONS TO OUR MAINTENANCE BARN IN 2024. WE ALSO HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED A NEW ROOF, PAINTED THE EXTERIOR, AND REPLACED AND REPAIRED WINDOWS. WE MAINTAIN ALMOST THIRTY ACRES OF LAND AND FIVE BUILDINGS THAT REQUIRE CONSTANT MAINTENANCE, SO THIS IS A CRITICAL BUILDING TO HELP SERVE THOSE EFFORTS. GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE HISTORIC HOUSE AND NEW THRESHING BARN, INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS, REMOVAL OF OLD DAMAGED FENCES AND A START OF THE REMOVAL OF OLD CONCRETE THAT A FORMER OWNER HAD INSTALLED FOR PARKING.
- $69,810 spent. THE CONTINUED PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE HOME.
- THE CONTINUED PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE HOME.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Fisher House Foundation Inc (Rockville, MD), EIN 11-3158401. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.