Passes our checks

Runestone Museum Foundation

EIN 23-7391175 · Alexandria, MN

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

What it says it does

INFORM OUR FUTURE BY PRESERVING OUR PAST WHILE INSPIRING CURIOSITY ABOUT REGIONAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 59% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$150,518 spent. IN 2024, MUSEUM ATTENDANCE CONTINUES TO INCREASE. CHRISTMAS IN THE FORT WAS A SUCCESSFUL EVENT, EVEN THOUGH THE TEMPS WERE EXTREMELY COLD. RENOVATIONS WERE MADE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, WHICH INCLUDED PAINTING AND LANDSCAPING. IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE AGRICULTURE BUILDING TO REPAIR DAMAGE CAUSED BY NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE MUSEUM CONTINUES ITS 30 MINUTE RADIO SPOTLIGHT ONCE A MONTH TO PROMOTE THE MUSEUM. WE SUPPORTED COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK AND THE 4-H EXHIBIT GRAND OPENING. A GREAT EFFORT WAS MADE TO CLEAN-UP AND IMPROVE FILES, ARCHIVED INFORMATION, AND GENERAL REPORTING PROCEDURES. THE SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE AREA HAS BEEN RE-CURATED AND IMPROVED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 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 April 1982.
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.