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Historic Natchez Foundation

EIN 23-7372767 · Natchez, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER, ENCOURAGE, AND ENGAGE IN THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIC SITES, BUILDINGS, AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, IN EVERY WAY DEEMED TO BE FEASIBLE, INCLUDING ACQUISITION OF BUILDINGS, SITES, AND OTHER PROPERTY FOR PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOLVING FUND FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Income
$612,052
Spending
$565,813
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
102.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 60%
Employees
10
Volunteers
50

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. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 102.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
  1. $131,214 spent. EDUCATION - INFORMATION RELATED TO NATCHEZ REGIONAL HISTORY, GENEALOGY, ARCHITECTURE, AND DECORATIVE ARTS IS PROVIDED ON A DAILY BASIS TO LOCAL CITIZENS, GOVERNMENTAL AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, VISITORS, SCHOLARS, WRITERS, GENEALOGISTS, HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS, MUSEUMS, FILMMAKERS, AND OTHERS. THE STAFF LECTURES AND CONSULTS ON NATCHEZ HISTORY; HISTORIC PRESERVATON; ARCHITECTURE; ARCHIVAL AND COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT; DECORATIVE ARTS; LANDSCAPES; AND GARDENS TO LOCAL CITIZENS, LOCAL AND VISITING ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO TOURISTS. DISPLAYS EXHIBITS RELATED TO THE THEMES PREVIOUSLY CITED, AS WELL AS CONTEMPORARY FINE ART BY ARTISTS CURRENTLY OR FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH NATCHEZ. THE FOUNDATION ALLOWS OTHER NON-PROFIT AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO USE THE FACILITIES AT NO CHARGE FOR MEETINGS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
  2. $224,906 spent. PRESERVATION - WORKS TO PRESERVE HISTORIC BUILDINGS, WHICH SOMETIMES INVOLVES ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION. THE FOUNDATION PLACES PRESERVATION EASEMENTS IN PERPETUITY ON ALL HISTORIC PROPERTIES THAT ARE ACQUIRED FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES BEFORE ANY RESALE OF THE PROPERTY.THE FOUNDATION SOLICITS PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING AND ADMINISTERS TWO FUNDS DEDICATED TO PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH THE CITY TO INSURE THAT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS MEET HISTORIC PRESERVATION GUIDELINES.THE FOUNDATION ADVISES ON PROPER PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION METHODOLOGY AND ON THE DESIGN OF NEW BUILDINGS TO MAKE THEM COMPATIBLE WITHIN A HISTORIC CONTEXT.
  3. $101,207 spent. COLLECTIONS - HAS A SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF IMPORTANT ARCHIVAL MATERIAL, MUSEUM ARTIFACTS, AND PUBLIC RECORDS RELATED TO THE HISTORY OF THE NATCHEZ REGION. THE FOUNDATION'S COLLECTIONS INCLUDE BOOKS, PHOTOGRAPHS, DOCUMENTS, SITE FILES, SUBJECT FILES, PUBLIC RECORDS, AND ARTIFACTS. THE ARCHIVES AND PUBLIC RECORDS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON A DAILY BASIS TO THE PUBLIC UNDER SUPERVISION OF FOUNDATION STAFF. THE FOUNDATION MAINTAINS A RESEARCH LIBRARY WITH BOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL ON NATCHEZ AND REGIONAL HISTORY, MISSISSIPPI HISTORY, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ARCHITECTURE, DECORATIVE ARTS, FINE ARTS, AND MUSEUM MANAGEMENT. THE ADAMS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS ENTRUSTED THE FOUNDATION WITH THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC COURTHOUSE RECORDS DATING TO THE 18TH, 19TH, AND 20TH CENTURIES.THE COUNTY BEGAN RELOCATING CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS TO THE FOUNDATION IN 1992, AND THE PROGRAM EXPANDED IN 2008 TO INCLUDE THE CHANCERY COURT RECORDS. THE COUNTY PROVIDES A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT. THE FOUNDATION HAS SPONSORED THE PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNIVERSITIES AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PRESERVE AND CATALOGUE THESE VALUABLE HISTORIC DOCUMENTS. STAFF MEMBERS CONTINUE TO PROCESS RECORDS TO PRESERVE THEM AND TO BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE COMPUTER DATABASE TO MAKE THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 November 1974.

    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.

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.