Herreshoff Marine Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
INTERPRETATION OF THE HISTORY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE HERRESHOFF MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND AMERICA'S CUP.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- -7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 29
- Highest pay
- $155,161, president and 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
Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 22 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 (4)
- $578,721 spent. WATERFRONT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS: INCLUDES THE SEAMANSHIP PROGRAM, LECTURES, THE WORKSHOP PROGRAM IN CLASSIC BOAT MAINTENANCE AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. THE WORKSHOP PROGRAM IN CLASSIC BOAT MAINTENANCE PROVIDES A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN HELPING TO CARE FOR THE MUSEUM'S ACTIVE-USE COLLECTION OF WATERCRAFT. THE SEAMANSHIP PROGRAM'S PRIMARY GOALS ARE TO TEACH SAILING SKILLS AND WATER AWARENESS, TO INSTILL A LOVE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND TO CREATE LIFELONG SAILORS.
- $411,213 spent. MUSEUM ACTIVITIES AND ADMISSIONS: THE HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM AND AMERICA'S CUP HALL OF FAME ARE DEDICATED TO THE INSPIRATION AND EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF THE HISTORY AND INNOVATIVE WORK OF THE HERRESHOFF MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND THE AMERICA'S CUP COMPETITION. VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE WORLD'S LARGEST COLLECTION OF ANY ONE NAVAL ARCHITECT'S LIFE WORK. THE GENIUS OF THE HERRESHOFF BROTHERS IS UNSURPASSED IN ITS COMINBATION OF BUSINESS ACUMEN AND INNOVATION.
- $30,343 spent. PROGRAM EVENTS: THE MUSEUM'S MONTHLY LECTURE SERIES BRINGS THE KNOWLEDGE OF ESTABLISHED AUTHORS, SAILORS, AND EXPERTS DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC. TOPICS COVER HISTORIC MARITIME EVENTS, CONTEMPORARY EXHIBITS AND SAILING PROGRAMS, AND ONGOING RESTORATION PROJECTS AND REPLICA BUILDS. PROGRAM EVENTS ALSO INCLUDE THE HERRESHOFF CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA WHICH BRINGS CLASSIC YACHT ENTHUSIASTS TO THE MUSEUM ON NARRAGANSETT BAY FOR AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE HERRESHOFF MANUFACTURING COMPANY HERITAGE.
- $126,113 spent. EXPENSES FOR OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE MUSEUM STORE PAYROLL AND FIXTURES, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF MULTIPLE HISTORIC BUILDINGS ON THE ORGANIZATION'S CAMPUS, AND SPECIALTY PROJECTS FOR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. THE BALANCE OF PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE IS FROM COMMERCIAL SPONSORS.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.