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Edison Birthplace Association Inc

EIN 22-1528860 · Milan, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE CURIOSITY, INNOVATION, AND LIFELONG LEARNING BY PRESERVING AND INTERPRETING THE EARLY LIFE OF THOMAS EDISON AND HIS BIRTHPLACE THROUGH GUIDED TOURS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT.

Income
$296,934
Spending
$197,555
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
55.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
16
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$40,308, development director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 55.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 November 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 (3)
  1. $85,462 spent. CONSERVATION MANDATE: WE CONSERVE THE EDISON BIRTHPLACE HOME, THE UNIQUE ANCHOR TO DEMONSTRATE THE FORMATIVE INFLUENCES OF PEOPLE, PLACE, AND TIMES ON EDISON THE BOY'S CURIOSITY, ABILITY TO INNOVATE, PERSISTENCE, AND HIS QUEST OF LIFELONG LEARNING. IN 2024 WE INITIATED A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY TO RESTORE THE BIRTHPLACE HOME AND BETTER REFLECT IT AT THE TIME OF EDISON'S BIRTH.
  2. $54,385 spent. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: WE ENGAGE THE CORE AUDIENCE, YOUNG PEOPLE, WITH TACTILE AND VISUAL LEARNING AND STORIES, AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOCENTS AND INTERNS. IN 2025, THE GFELL EDUCATION CENTER WAS COMPLETED AND OPENED TO THE PUBLIC - A SOLAR EXHIBIT COMPLETED TO DEMONSTRATE EDISON'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF ENERGY.
  3. $15,538 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: MILAN'S UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE OFFERED LIFE-LESSONS FOR EDISON THE CHILD. WE STRIVE TO LINK THOSE TO THE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE TODAY. OUR RESEARCH EFFORTS SUPPORT OUR STORYTELLING ABILITY. BUILDING OUR EDISON HERITAGE SERIES SUPPORTS OUR ABILITY TO DEMONSTRATE THE PERIOD OF MILAN'S HISTORY IN EDISON'S TIME.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 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 November 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 August 1954.

    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.