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Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence Inc

EIN 23-6397427 · Avon, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO STRENGTHEN IN AMERICAN LIFE THE PRINCIPLES SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY ITS SIGNERS; TO PROMOTE FELLOWSHIP AMONG THEIR DESCENDANTS; TO INSPIRE AND CULTIVATE A SPIRIT OF UNSELFISH PATRIOTISM; TO AID AND ENCOURAGE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, THE PRESERVATION OF RELICS AND RECORDS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND MARKING OF HISTORIC SITES; TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEN AS WELL AS THEIR WIFES WHO, IN SIGNING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, MUTUALLY PLEDGED THEIR LIVES, THEIR FORTUNES, AND THEIR SACRED HONOR IN THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY; AND TO PROVIDE A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF THESE PURPOSES.

Income
$177,272
Spending
$98,248
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$3, past president-general

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    40 of 40 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (2)
  1. $46,002 spent. TO DRAW PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF HISTORICAL LANDMARKS AND TO INDICATE PUBLICLY, BY RESOLUTIONS, THEIR NON-POLITICAL SUPPORT OF PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGH IDEALS OF THE 56 SIGNERS
  2. $30,147 spent. ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO DESERVING MEN AND WOMEN DESCENDED FROM ONE OF THE SIGNERS.

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

  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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 October 1949.

    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 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.