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Lancasterhistory Org

EIN 23-1365154 · Lancaster, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HERITAGE AND HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS THAT SHAPED OUR REGION, THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Income
$6.7 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
-14.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
26
Volunteers
450
Highest pay
$227,748, president and ceo

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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
  1. $2.2 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION CARRIES ON VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS THAT SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HERITAGE AND HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS THAT SHAPED OUR REGION, THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.OUTREACH TO APPROXIMATELY 2,400 MEMBERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH OUR JOURNAL AND NEWSLETTER AND 125,000 THROUGH THE WORLD WIDE WEB.ACQUISITIONS-LIBRARY, ARCHIVAL, AND MUSEUM ITEMS FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH SERVED AN ESTIMATED 14,000 ADULTS, COLLEGE, AND SECONDARY STUDENTS.SPECIAL EVENTS-LIVING HISTORY CIVIL WAR AND WWII ENCAMPMENTS, LECTURES, FILMS, TRIPS, COLLOQUIA AND SYMPOSIA. BROUGHT HISTORY EVENTS TO ABOUT 8,800 PEOPLE.RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF A MUSEUM AND INTERPRETIVE CENTER OF THE THADDEUS STEVENS AND LYDIA HAMILTON SMITH HISTORIC SITE LOCATED IN LANCASTER CITY.NEH FELLOWSHIP

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 July 1924.

    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.