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Passes our checks

Library of American Landscape History Inc

EIN 22-3222087 · Amherst, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LALH IS THE LEADING PUBLISHER OF BOOKS THAT ADVANCE THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF AMERICAN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE FROM GARDENS AND PARKS TO CITY PLANS. LALH BOOKS EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, MOTIVATING STEWARDSHIP OF SIGNIFICANT PLACES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THEY INSPIRE NEW DESIGNS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE.

Income
$470,525
Spending
$446,698
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
30.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
5
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$128,322, executive dir.

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $200,057 spent. Improving the Village: Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and the Laurel Hill Association by Kirin Makker and Sarah Allaback was edited, the illustration program was prepared, and book was sent to the printer in 2024; in spring 2025 the book was released.Boston's Franklin Park: Olmsted, Recreation, and the Modern City (film) featuring Ethan Carr and several Boston park advocates was released in Roxbury, Massachusetts, October 2024.
  2. $140,260 spent. EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH: Discussions regarding a new partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians began in November. Proposal was approved by LALH board May 2025.
  3. MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT: "Calvert Vaux, Landscape Architect" by Francis R. Kowsky was edited and the illustration program begun; the book will be released in spring 2026."Innocenti - Webel: Modern Landscape Classicism" by Robin Karson continues in development; the book's anticipated release is spring 2027.Olmsted and Yosemite: Civil War, Abolition, and the National Park Idea (film) featuring Rolf Diamant went into development. Release is anticipated fall 2025.

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 June 1993.

    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.