The M S Hershey Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE MILTON HERSHEY'S LEGACY AND COMMUNITY VISION AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE HERSHEY AREA, THE FOUNDATION OPERATES THE HERSHEY STORY, HERSHEY GARDENS, HERSHEY THEATRE AND HERSHEY COMMUNITY ARCHIVES. THROUGH COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS AND GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, THE NON-PROFIT M.S. HERSHEY FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY MR. HERSHEY BUILT.
- Income
- $25.7 million
- Spending
- $21.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 71%
- Employees
- 216
- Volunteers
- 544
- Highest pay
- $578,526, secretary
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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 41% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 5 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, 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 (5)
- $14.2 million spent. STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMPLETED DURING MILTON HERSHEY'S GREAT BUILDING CAMPAIGN PROGRAM IN THE 1930S, THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING HOUSED HERSHEY THEATRE, WHICH FIRST OPENED AS A VAUDEVILLE AND MOVIE HOUSE. TODAY, THE THEATRE IS THE AREA'S PREMIER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. PRESENTING TOURING BROADWAY SHOWS, CLASSICAL MUSIC, DANCE ATTRACTIONS AND WORLD RENOWNED ENTERTAINERS, THE THEATRE'S RICH HISTORY AND PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTATIONS PROVIDE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT TO PATRONS OF ALL AGES. DEVELOPED IN 2008, THE HERSHEY THEATRE APOLLO AWARDS IS A PROGRAM WHICH RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PRODUCTIONS; MORE THAN 100 NOMINATED STUDENTS ARE AWARDED $15,000 IN AWARDS. ALL DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS TO THE HERSHEY THEATRE AT NO CHARGE. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 143,097 EXPENSES: $14,235,379 GRANTS: $0 REVENUE: $14,732,390 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT #2 (LINE 4B): THE HERSHEY STORY, THE MUSEUM ON CHOCOLATE AVENUE OPENED IN 2009. THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE IS AN EDUCATIONAL, INTERACTIVE PERMANENT EXHIBIT SPACE THAT SHARES THE STORIES OF MILTON S. HERSHEY, HIS BUSINESSES, PHILANTHROPIES AND COMMUNITY. THE APPRENTICE PROGRAM IS AN ACTIVITY DESIGNED TO FURTHER ENGAGE CHILDREN AS THEY EXPLORE THE EXHIBITS. IN THE CHOCOLATE LAB, GUESTS LEARN ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF CHOCOLATE AND PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES USING CHOCOLATE. SPECIAL EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT THE NATIVE AMERICAN AND PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN COLLECTIONS, ORIGINALLY PURCHASED BY MILTON HERSHEY. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, HOMESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ALL MEET PA STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS. ALL DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS TO THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE AT NO CHARGE. THE HERSHEY STORY OFFERS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CALLED "SHARE THE STORY" THAT SUBSIDIZES THE COST OF FIELD TRIP ADMISSION AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOLS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. AUTISTIC STUDENTS FROM THE VISTA SCHOOL ARE PROVIDED WORK OPPORTUNITIES AT THE HERSHEY STORY. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 102,100 EXPENSES: $3,287,071 REVENUE: $2,036,449 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT #3 (LINE 4C): HERSHEY GARDENS WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED IN 1937 AT MILTON HERSHEY'S REQUEST. IT HAS SINCE EXPANDED AND NOW FEATURES 23 ACRES OF SEASONAL DISPLAYS AND RARE TREES WITHIN 11 THEME GARDENS. THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN AND HOOP HOUSE OFFER CHILDREN HANDS-ON LEARNING AS THEY DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF NATURE AND PLANTS. THE GREAT GARDEN ADVENTURE IS A PROGRAM FEATURING AN INTERACTIVE GUIDE THAT HELPS CHILDREN EXPLORE AND LEARN THROUGHOUT THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN. ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE CLASSES ON GARDENING AND NATURE. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, HOMESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ALL MEET PA STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS. ALL DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS TO HERSHEY GARDENS AT NO CHARGE. DURING THE 2016 CALENDAR YEAR, THE GARDENS COMPLETED A PROJECT TO BUILD A YEAR ROUND EDUCATION FACILITY WHICH INCLUDE A YEAR ROUND BUTTERFLY HABITAT AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSROOM. HERSHEY GARDENS OFFERS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CALLED "SHARE THE GARDENS" THAT SUBSIDIZES THE COST OF FIELD TRIP ADMISSION AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOLS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 186,829 EXPENSES: $2,826,752 REVENUE: $2,267,702 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT - OTHER: ARCHIVES & OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES - THE HERSHEY COMMUNITY ARCHIVES COLLECTS AND MAINTAINS HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS, ORAL HISTORIES, AND OTHER TWO DIMENSIONAL ARTIFACTS CHRONICLING THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS OFFERED TO THE THIRD GRADERS OF THE DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IN THE FORM OF LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT VARIOUS VENUES. WEBSITE ACCESS TO THESE HISTORICAL RECORDS HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE RESEARCH POTENTIAL. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 295 EXPENSES: $296,469 REVENUE: REVENUE: $190,661
- $3.3 million spent. See Schedule O - The Hershey Story Museum
- $2.8 million spent. See Schedule O - Hershey Gardens
- $296,469 spent. Hershey Community Archives
- STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMPLETED DURING MILTON HERSHEY'S GREAT BUILDING CAMPAIGN PROGRAM IN THE 1930S, THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING HOUSED HERSHEY THEATRE, WHICH FIRST OPENED AS A VAUDEVILLE AND MOVIE HOUSE. TODAY, THE THEATRE IS THE AREA'S PREMIER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. PRESENTING TOURING BROADWAY SHOWS, CLASSICAL MUSIC, DANCE ATTRACTIONS AND WORLD RENOWNED ENTERTAINERS, THE THEATRE'S RICH HISTORY AND PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTATIONS PROVIDE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT TO PATRONS OF ALL AGES. DEVELOPED IN 2008, THE HERSHEY THEATRE APOLLO AWARDS IS A PROGRAM WHICH RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PRODUCTIONS; MORE THAN 100 NOMINATED STUDENTS ARE AWARDED $15,000 IN AWARDS. ALL DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS TO THE HERSHEY THEATRE AT NO CHARGE. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 143,097 EXPENSES: $14,235,379 GRANTS: $0 REVENUE: $14,732,390 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT #2 (LINE 4B): THE HERSHEY STORY, THE MUSEUM ON CHOCOLATE AVENUE OPENED IN 2009. THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE IS AN EDUCATIONAL, INTERACTIVE PERMANENT EXHIBIT SPACE THAT SHARES THE STORIES OF MILTON S. HERSHEY, HIS BUSINESSES, PHILANTHROPIES AND COMMUNITY. THE APPRENTICE PROGRAM IS AN ACTIVITY DESIGNED TO FURTHER ENGAGE CHILDREN AS THEY EXPLORE THE EXHIBITS. IN THE CHOCOLATE LAB, GUESTS LEARN ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF CHOCOLATE AND PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES USING CHOCOLATE. SPECIAL EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT THE NATIVE AMERICAN AND PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN COLLECTIONS, ORIGINALLY PURCHASED BY MILTON HERSHEY. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, HOMESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ALL MEET PA STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS. ALL DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS TO THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE AT NO CHARGE. THE HERSHEY STORY OFFERS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CALLED "SHARE THE STORY" THAT SUBSIDIZES THE COST OF FIELD TRIP ADMISSION AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOLS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. AUTISTIC STUDENTS FROM THE VISTA SCHOOL ARE PROVIDED WORK OPPORTUNITIES AT THE HERSHEY STORY. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 102,100 EXPENSES: $3,287,071 REVENUE: $2,036,449 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT #3 (LINE 4C): HERSHEY GARDENS WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED IN 1937 AT MILTON HERSHEY'S REQUEST. IT HAS SINCE EXPANDED AND NOW FEATURES 23 ACRES OF SEASONAL DISPLAYS AND RARE TREES WITHIN 11 THEME GARDENS. THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN AND HOOP HOUSE OFFER CHILDREN HANDS-ON LEARNING AS THEY DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF NATURE AND PLANTS. THE GREAT GARDEN ADVENTURE IS A PROGRAM FEATURING AN INTERACTIVE GUIDE THAT HELPS CHILDREN EXPLORE AND LEARN THROUGHOUT THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN. ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE CLASSES ON GARDENING AND NATURE. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, HOMESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ALL MEET PA STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS. ALL DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS TO HERSHEY GARDENS AT NO CHARGE. DURING THE 2016 CALENDAR YEAR, THE GARDENS COMPLETED A PROJECT TO BUILD A YEAR ROUND EDUCATION FACILITY WHICH INCLUDE A YEAR ROUND BUTTERFLY HABITAT AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSROOM. HERSHEY GARDENS OFFERS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CALLED "SHARE THE GARDENS" THAT SUBSIDIZES THE COST OF FIELD TRIP ADMISSION AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOLS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 186,829 EXPENSES: $2,826,752 REVENUE: $2,267,702 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT - OTHER: ARCHIVES & OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES - THE HERSHEY COMMUNITY ARCHIVES COLLECTS AND MAINTAINS HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS, ORAL HISTORIES, AND OTHER TWO DIMENSIONAL ARTIFACTS CHRONICLING THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS OFFERED TO THE THIRD GRADERS OF THE DERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IN THE FORM OF LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT VARIOUS VENUES. WEBSITE ACCESS TO THESE HISTORICAL RECORDS HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE RESEARCH POTENTIAL. NUMBER BENEFITTED: 295 EXPENSES: $296,469 REVENUE: REVENUE: $190,661
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
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 December 2024.
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 July 1966.
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.
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