Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To preserve the memory and alliance of the men and women of the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany, who conducted the greatest humanitarian operation in aviation history known as the Great Berlin Airlift of 1948 and 1949.
- Income
- $195,484
- Spending
- $134,601
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 116.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $39,260, board chairman and president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 116.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 79% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 18 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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)
- $95,963 spent. The organization continues to have one Program Service. As stated in the organization's Articles of Incorporation, the organization is dedicated to preserving the memory and alliance of the men and women of the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany who conducted the greatest humanitarian operation in aviation history, and thereby, sustained the besieged city of Berlin from June 1948 to May 1949. The organization continues to accomplish this Program Service by displaying a Douglas C-54 transport aircraft named the "Spirit of Freedom as a museum/exhibit for the purpose of history, education, and remembrance about the great Berlin Airlift of 1948 and 1949. This reporting period was marred with maintenance issues with our Douglas C-54D transport. Due to propeller issues, nearly all of the flying activities were terminated until these issues were resolved. As a result, the income form Program Service and contributions was reduced. As for our very rare Boeing C-97G transport, we made good progress in locating the parts needed to begin the process to get the C-97 airworthy once again.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 2024.
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 December 1991.
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.