National Liberty Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM ("NLMTHE "ORGANIZATION") IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ILLUMINATE THE STRENGTH AND FRAGILITY OF LIBERTY BY PRESENTING THE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHOSE POSITIVE (SEE SCHEDULE O)
- Income
- $3.1 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 21.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 72%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 24
- Highest pay
- $253,742, ceo & president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 31, 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 (5)
- $460,874 spent. Exhibitions and Public Interpretation - The National Liberty Museum (NLM) advances its mission through a dynamic program of rotating exhibitions that examine the evolving meaning of liberty in contemporary society. Recent exhibitions have explored themes such as freedom of expression, civic participation, and the role of individuals and communities in shaping a more just society, positioning the Museum as a forum for timely public dialogue. NLM develops exhibitions through loans, commissions, open calls, and partnerships with community organizations and subject-matter experts, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences. Each exhibition is designed as an entry point for civic engagement, connecting historical ideas of liberty to present-day issues. Exhibitions are supported by a robust schedule of public programs - including talks, workshops, panel discussions, and facilitated conversations - that deepen visitor engagement and encourage critical thinking, dialogue, and participation.
- $1.2 million spent. Youth Civic and Liberty Education (YHOP/LEAP) - During the year, the National Liberty Museum (NLM) evolved its longstanding Young Heroes Outreach Program (YHOP) from a year-long civics initiative into a more focused, semester-based model: Liberty and Engagement Across Perspectives (LEAP). This shift reflects NLM's broader transition from traditional civics education to a "liberty education" framework that emphasizes the exploration of rights, responsibilities, and perspectives in a pluralistic society. LEAP is designed as a structured semester-long experience for students in grades 4-8, combining classroom learning with facilitated dialogue and project-based engagement. Grounded in themes drawn from NLM's exhibitions, the program encourages students to examine complex issues through multiple viewpoints, practice respectful discourse, and understand the role of individual and collective action in shaping communities. Students apply critical thinking skills to real-world challenges and participate in guided projects that promote problem-solving, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. The program prioritizes engagement across perspectives, helping students build the skills necessary to navigate difference and contribute constructively in civic life. Educators receive professional development and ongoing support from Museum staff to implement the program. This updated model allows for deeper engagement within a defined timeframe while maintaining measurable impact on student learning, classroom culture, and community connection.
- $574,825 spent. Public Programs and Speaker Series - In addition to exhibition-based programming, NLM presents public programs and a speaker series that convene thought leaders, scholars, public officials, and community members. These programs expand on exhibition themes and create space for dialogue around pressing social issues. Through these offerings, NLM serves as a civic gathering place where diverse audiences engage in informed discussion, exchange ideas, and explore the responsibilities and opportunities of living in a free society.
- $106,108 spent. COMMUNITY AWARDS
- COMMUNITY AWARD PROGRAMS - CORE TO THE NLM'S MISSION IS HOSTING ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAMS CELEBRATING "EVERYDAY" HEROS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE MUSEUM CURRENTLY OFFERS TWO AWARD PROGRAMS PUBLICLY HONORING OUTSTANDING CITIZENS FROM AMONG TEACHERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. TO DATE, NLM HAS RECOGNIZED THOUSANDS OF EXCEPTIONAL MEN, WOMEN, AND YOUNG PEOPLE FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE WHO HAVE USED THEIR TIME, TALENTS, AND RESOURCES TO KEEP LIBERTY THRIVING AND MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON A LOCAL AND GLOBAL SCALE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 September 1995.
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 November 4, 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.