Ridge Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Ridge Historical Society collects, preserves, interprets, and makes available to the public a collection of artifacts and documents of historic interest to the Chicago neighborhoods of Beverly, Morgan Park, Washington Heights, and Mt. Greenwood.
- Income
- $62,179
- Spending
- $50,529
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 60%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 30
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: 95 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% 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
Strong: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
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 (3)
- $10,734 spent. 1. Public Education Programs (Expense $10,734, Income $2,004): The Society's original exhibit for 2024 illuminated the work of a notable 20th century architect, Harry Hale Waterman, who designed many buildings in the Ridge Historic District. The exhibit team included historical researchers and an architectural photographer who lent his photographs of H.H. Waterman houses. The exhibit was free and open to the public. A related educational program was presented by the docents. The Society also hosted speakers for other local history presentations (Rediscovering 1899 Kite Photography; Freedom Seekers about the Underground Railroad activities in the area; Elmer and Richard Carlson's architecture), a talk on stained and leaded glass for old house restoration, and a workshop on researching the history of old Chicago houses. A free "Volunteer Orientation" program was developed to familiarize the public with the Society's resources and services, and to encourage volunteer involvement. In another significant public education effort, RHS regularly and consistently publishes local history items via print and social media.
- $26,637 spent. Graver-Driscoll House Preservation and Maintenance (Expense $26,388): The Society resides in a designated historic district, and owns Graver-Driscoll House which serves is its base of administrative operations and as a museum, archive, and meeting venue. The building is historically significant in its own right; it was designed by noted architect John Todd Hetherington and is over 100 years old.
- Public Events: Ridge Historical Society participated in several local events, including the community's Memorial Day Parade, BAPA-sponsored free "Porch Concerts", Beverly Arts Alliance's Annual Art Walk, and Chicago Architectural Center's "Open House Chicago". RHS timed its exhibit opening in conjunction with the fall events. Effort this year involved many volunteer hours.Historic Research: Research of local history involving people, places, events, buildings and artifacts is a significant activity of the Society. Research may be undertaken in the planning of exhibits or programs; to support the organization's participation in local initiatives and observances; or to document the organization's collection. The Society also routinely responds to questions and requests from local residents, often concerning their residences or other buildings. Research labor is provided by volunteers, and the Society had no associated expenses in 2024.
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 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 November 1972.
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.
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.