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Cultural and Heritage Commission of York County

EIN 23-7257020 · York, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CULTURE AND HERITAGE COMMISSION (CMH) IS A FAMILY OF MUSEUMS IN YORK COUNTY, SC, WHICH INCLUDES HISTORIC BRATTONSVILLE, THE MCCELVEY CENTER, THE MUSEUM OF YORK COUNTY AND THE MAIN STREET CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN OLD TOWN ROCK HILL. ITS VISION IS TO INSPIRE LEARNING AND TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT GREATLY VALUES NATURAL, HISTORICAL, AND CULTURAL HERITAGE.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
78
Volunteers
299
Highest pay
$150,479, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 111% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $2.7 million spent. THE CHM SERVES OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY THROUGH A BROAD RANGE OF PROGRAMS, SERVING PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH ADULT IN CONTENT AREAS INCLUDING HISTORY, NATURAL HISTORY, ASTRONOMY, AND EDUCATION. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS AT THE MAIN STREET CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, HISTORIC BRATTONSVILLE, THE MUSEUM OF YORK COUNTY, THE MCCELVEY CENTER, AND THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF YORK COUNTY.
  2. $1.8 million spent. THE CHM SERVES THE BROADER COMMUNITY THROUGH DAILY EXPERIENCES AT OUR SITES: HISTORIC BRATTONSVILLE, THE MUSEUM OF YORK COUNTY, THE MCCELVEY CENTER, AND THE MAIN STREET CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED FROM TOURS, SPECIAL EVENTS, CONCERTS, PLANETARIUM PROGRAMS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE. THE CHM SEEKS TO PROVIDE A RICH AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE CENTERED ON THE CAROLINA PIEDMONT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 December 1957.

    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 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.