Washburn Norlands Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Washburn-Norlands Living History Centers mission is to preserve the heritage and traditions of rural life of Maines past. We accomplish this by celebrating the achievements of Livermores Washburn Family and sharing the values, activities and issues of the past in a way to make them relevant to future generations.
- Income
- $533,827
- Spending
- $212,869
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 6.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 4
- 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 195% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $56,220 spent. Farm to Table:As a result of Farm to Table barn and mansion dinners, the Norlands is able to connect with the local community of small farms and farmers. The menu entrees include meats and produce purchased and showcased from surrounding farms. Dinner guests learn of the traditional and seasonal foods in Maine.
- $49,255 spent. Education: The Washburn Norlands Living History Center (WNLHC) provided educational programming for a variety of youth groups. These groups included public and private schools, homeschool co-ops, and scout groups. The young visitors who came on-site learned what 19th-century life was like in rural Maine. They also learned about the inspiring story of the Washburn family. Interpreters led programs using first-person role-play as the teaching method. Over 1,000 young learners participated in the programs. Maine state education standards for Social Studies were integrated into the programs to help students develop an understanding of the Civil War era.
- $42,873 spent. Heritage Tourism:The Washburn Norlands Living History Center conducted site tours, living history days, and farm-to-table experiences for the public throughout the year. Visitors learned about the contributions of each member of the Washburn family in the building of our nation. Furthermore, as visitors walk among the buildings and fields of the history center, historical farm practices are revealed through a hands-on approach using authentic artifacts. Over 800 visitors participated in heritage tourism. Site tours were booked in advance and open history days were promoted and announced by season. Both were conducted throughout the year.
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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 December 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 November 4, 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.