Passes our checks

Waukegan Historical Society Inc

EIN 23-7037876 · Waukegan, IL

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

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WAUKEGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO PRESERVE OUR HISTORY, HONOR OUR STORIES AND INSPIRE OUR FUTURE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 85 out of 100.

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 86% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
84% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

Independent board
25 of 25
12 of 12 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
7 of 7
Has a 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)

$15,425 spent. 1)MUSEUM, LIBRARY RESEARCH SERVICES AND GIFT SHOP:(A) THE WAUKEGAN HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CARNEGIE FEATURES NEWLY DESIGNED DYNAMIC WAUKEGAN HISTORY AND NATURAL RESOURCES EXHIBIT AND A SPECIAL RAY BRADBURY EXHIBIT ROOM, AND ALSO CONTAINS AN EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ARCHIVAL LIBRARY OF PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS ON ALL ASPECTS OF WAUKEGAN'S HISTORY;(B) THE HAINES HOUSE MUSEUM IN BOWEN PARK HOUSES EXHIBITS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND ARTIFACTS REPRESENTING THE RICH HISTORY OF WAUKEGAN. THE MUSEUMS ARE JOINTLY OPERATED BY THE SOCIETY AND THE WAUKEGAN PARK DISTRICT.
$111 spent. OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY OF WAUKEGAN: THIS OUTREACH INCLUDES: (A) FREE HISTORY PROGRAMS TO SCHOOLS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS; (B) PERIODIC NEWSLETTERS POSTED ONLINE FOR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS; (C) AN ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE FOR THE PUBLIC; AND (D) AN ANNUAL MEETING FOR MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT PROJECTS UNDERWAY AT THE SOCIETY, AND TO VOTE ON ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND NEW BOARD MEMBERS.
$1,309 spent. SPECIAL EVENTS: EXAMPLES INCLUDE: (A) OAKWOOD CEMETERY WALK, A "LIVING HISTORY" EVENT SHOWCASING THE RICH HISTORY OF WAUKEGAN; (B) WALKING TOURS FOR THE PUBLIC OF OTHER WAUKEGAN AREAS OF INTEREST; (C) SCHOOL OUTREACH WALKING TOURS; (D) TOURS OF HISTORIC WAUKEGAN HOMES.
$100,982 spent. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 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 October 1969.
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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