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Heritage Farmstead Association

EIN 23-7296470 · Plano, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSEUM'S MISSION IS TO PRESERVE A HISTORIC TEXAS FARMSTEAD WHERE PEOPLE CAN EXPERIENCE AND LEARN FROM OUR AGRARIAN ROOTS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 47%
Employees
13
Volunteers
2,329
Highest pay
$121,625, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE PLANO HERITAGE ASSOCIATION SAVED THIS HISTORIC SITE FROM DEMOLITION IN 1973 AND HAS PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL MUSEUM EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION SERVICES FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSE AND SITE FOR OVER 50 YEARS. THE HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSEUM IS THE PREMIER HERITAGE RESOURCE IN PLANO, TEXAS. OVER 350,000 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN AFFORDED ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SCHOOL FIELDTRIPS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS. THIS MUSEUM HAS ACHIEVED NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL RECOGNITION: LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, DESIGNATED BY THE CITY OF PLANO AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AS A HISTORIC LANDMARK, AN ACCREDITED MUSEUM BY THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS. IN 2016 THE COLLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AWARDED THE HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSEUM THEIR HIGHEST HONOR, THE COLLIN MCKINNEY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF A HISTORICAL MUSEUM THAT ACTIVELY WORKS TO PROMOTE THE HERITAGE OF THE COUNTY THROUGH PROJECTS, EDUCATION, AND HISTORICAL TOURISM. THE MUSEUM'S CREATION AND FACILITATION OF THE PLANO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT THIRD GRADE PROGRAM WAS RECOGNIZED BY COLLIN COUNTY'S HISTORICAL COMMISSION DISTINGUISHED AS THE PREMIER INSTITUTION IN THE COUNTY FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. THE HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSEUM'S OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE DIRECTION OF HERITAGE PRESERVATION CONTINUES STRONGLY INTO THE FUTURE WITH THE ADDITION OF A 5-YEAR VISION PLAN. THE VISION PLAN INVOLVED THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSEUM STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, ARCHITECT, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF PLANO. ENGAGING IN A COMPREHENSIVE, TIMELY AND FORMAL MASTER PLAN FOR THE FUTURE SUPPORTS THE CONTINUED EFFORT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MUSEUM'S AUDIENCES AND COMMUNITY. THE MUSEUM'S VISION PLAN WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS WHEN IT RECEIVED A MERIT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1977.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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