Passes our checks

Smith & Wesson Historicalfoundation

EIN 20-8968161 · Baton Rouge, LA

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND GUIDANCE FOR RESEARCH, PRESERVATION AND DISPLAY OF HISTORICAL MATERIALS OF SMITH & WESSON.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 15
100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
11 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no 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
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$213,306 spent. FUND THE DIGITAL REPRODUCTION AND INDEXING OF THE SMITH & WESSON FACTORY RECORDS AT CONNECTICUT VALLEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM.
WORK WITH LYMAN AND MERRIE WOOD MUSEUM OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY AND SMITH & WESSON TO INSURE A CONTINUOUS FLOW OF "FACTORY LETTERS- AND OTHER ACCESS TO RESEARCH INFORMATION.
PURCHASE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT SMITH & WESSON MATERIALS FOR PRESERVATION AT CONNECTICUT VALLEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 May 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 November 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.

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.