Independence Seaport Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 76 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO DISCOVER PHILADELPHIA'S RIVER OF HISTORY AND WORLD OF CONNECTIONS. SERVING A WIDE AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE AND HOLDING ITS COLLECTIONS IN TRUST FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE MUSEUM TELLS THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE, HISTORICAL EVENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES OF THE DELAWARE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. IT LOOKS TO A BROAD REGIONAL DEFINITION OF THE RIVER TO INCLUDE BOTH PHILADELPHIA AND CAMDEN AS WELL AS PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF NEW JERSEY AND THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER DRAINAGE. THE MUSEUM IS THE LEADING EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION IN THE REGION DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE DELAWARE RIVER AND ITS ESTUARIES. WE FOCUS UPON BUILDING K-16 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENGAE STUDENTS IN THE RICH HISTORY OF THIS REGION AS IT RELATES TO THE WATERWAYS IN ADDTION TO PROVIDNG STEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. OUR EDUCATIONAL MISSION IS TO BUILD AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED. THE MUSEUM RETAINS A NATIONA
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $6.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 25.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 39%
- Employees
- 80
- Volunteers
- 22
- Highest pay
- $243,292, ceo & president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 94% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 76 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (1)
- $4.9 million spent. THE INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM HOSTED A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES. STAFF UNDERTOOK THE FIRST OF NUMEROUS CHANGES TO UPGRADE EXISTING EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE NEW SHIP MODEL GALLERY, INTEGRATION OF ITS HISTORIC BOAT COLLECTION INTO ITS EXISTING EXHIBITIONS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL UPGRADES TO THE FACILITIES. THE MUSEUM CONTINUES TO OFFER ITS AWARD-WINNING INSTALLATION "RIVER ALIVE" AS WELL AS THE EXTREMELY POPULAR EXHIBITION "TIDES OF FREEDOM". THE FORMER FOCUSES UPON THE DELAWARE RIVER AND ITS ENVIRONMENT WHILE THE LATTER CLOSELY EXAMINES THE ROLE OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS ALONG THE RIVER. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM OPERATES THE CRUISER OLYMPIA AND SUBMARINE BECUNA FOR THE PUBLIC. FINALLY, THE MUSEUM PROVIDES EXTENSIVE ON THE WATER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1961.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.