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Castine Scientific Society

EIN 23-7059689 · Castine, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CULTIVATING AND ENCOURAGING HUMAN CONNECTION ACROSS PLACE, TIME, AND CULTURES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$706,755
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 92%
Employees
15
Highest pay
$78,923, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 108% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $406,358 spent. WILSON MUSEUM - CARE, MAINTENANCE, ADMINISTRATION AND INTERPRETATION OF A 4,500 SQUARE FOOT MUSEUM AND WORLDWIDE COLLECTIONS FROM PREHISTORY TO THE PRESENT DAY INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICE SUCH AS PUBLICATIONS, LECTURES, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND WEBSITE. OPEN FROM MAY 27 TO SEPTEMBER 30, GROUPS BY APPOINTMENT DURING THE OFF-SEASON. MUSEUM ATTENDANCE OF 3,500.
  2. $16,620 spent. EDUCATION CENTER & DEMONSTRATION/EXHIBIT AREA - CARE, MAINTENANCE, AND INTERPRETATION OF EXHIBITION/DEMONSTRATION BUILDINGS, A FULLY FUNCTIONAL 19TH CENTURY SMITHY, AND A 3,000 SQUARE FOOT EDUCATION CENTER WHERE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SUCH AS LECTURES, DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXHIBITS ARE OFFERED ON A YEAR-ROUND BASIS. APPROXIMATE EDUCATION CENTER & DEMONSTRATION EXHIBIT AREA ATTENDANCE OF 1,600.
  3. $5,731 spent. JOHN & PHEBE PERKINS HOUSE, PERKINS GALLERY & MUSEUM STORE - CARE, MAINTENANCE, AND INTERPRETATION OF EXHIBITION, MUSEUM STORE AND A 2 STORY COLONIAL HOME, BUILT IN 1763/83 WHICH IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, AS WELL AS THE CARE OF THE COLLECTIONS WITHIN, INCLUDING FAMILY HEIRLOOMS, LOCAL ARTIFACTS, AND PERIOD PIECES. HISTORIC HOME OPEN JULY AND AUGUST AND BY APPOINTMENT WITH GUIDED TOURS AND DEMONSTRATIONS SUCH AS FIRESIDE COOKING. GALLERY & MUSEUM STORE OPEN MAY 27TH TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, GROUPS BY APPOINTMENT DURING THE OFF-SEASON. PERKINS HOUSE, GALLERY & MUSEUM STORE ATTENDANCE OF 1,750.
  4. $45,447 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - OUTREACH TO AREA SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 150 PERSONS IMPACTED.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - OUTREACH TO AREA SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 150 PERSONS IMPACTED.

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

  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 2024.

    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 November 1964.

    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.