Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead preserves and interprets an 18th-century working farm to educate the public about early American agriculture domestic life and rural craftsmanship. The organization cares for historic structures maintains heritage livestock and crops and conducts hands-on demonstrations of period farming practices. Through school programs public tours seasonal events and living-history activities the Farmstead offers immersive educational experiences promoting understanding of Pennsylvanias colonial-era rural heritage.
- Income
- $391,032
- Spending
- $358,577
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $60,000, executive director
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (3)
- $245,999 spent. Educational - The Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead provided curriculum-aligned educational programs for regional schools homeschool groups and youth organizations. Students engaged in immersive activities like colonial farming tasks historic trades and daily life demonstrations. These programs aligned with state learning standards in history agriculture and social studies benefiting around 6,500 students annually.
- $50,961 spent. Historic farm interpretation - The Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead operated an 18th-century working farm offering hands-on educational experiences. Staff and trained interpreters showcased historic agricultural practices livestock care foodways and domestic crafts to visitors year-round. The Farmstead hosted school groups families and community members for guided tours living-history demonstrations and seasonal programs to enhance awareness of Pennsylvanias colonial-era rural heritage.
- $20,792 spent. Community events - The Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead hosted public events and workshops highlighting traditional farming seasonal agricultural cycles and eighteenth-century rural culture. Activities included harvest celebrations craft demonstrations heritage livestock presentations and volunteer engagement days fostering community awareness of local history and providing educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
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
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 August 1973.
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.