Connecticut River Foundation at Steamboat Dock Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CONNECTICUT RIVER MUSEUM'S MISSION IS TO DEEPEN APPRECIATION OF THE RIVER'S HISTORY AND TO INSPIRE ITS STEWARDSHIP BY PROVIDING UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 17.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 39%
- Employees
- 36
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $121,284, executive di
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (5)
- $559,677 spent. MUSEUM PROGRAMS THE CONNECTICUT RIVER MUSEUM IS SITUATED ON A RIVERFRONT PROPERTY IN ESSEX, CONNECTICUT UPON WHICH ARE THREE HISTORIC BUILDINGS HOUSING EXHIBITION GALLERIES, A RESEARCH LIBRARY, A MUSEUM SHOP, MEETING/EDUCATION PROGRAM SPACE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. ALONG OUR BULKHEAD RIVERFRONT ARE DOCKS TO WHICH ARE MOORED THREE VESSELS. WE SERVE A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE NUMBERING 31,000 IN 2024, BY PROVIDING UNIQUE PROGRAMS ON LAND, ONLINE AND ON THE WATER. THE MUSEUM OFFERS A ROBUST ARRAY OF EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INSPIRED BY OUR COLLECTION, THE RIVER'S STORIED HISTORY AND OUR LOCATION. INSIDE OUR HISTORIC MUSEUM BUILDING (BUILT IN 1878 AS A WAREHOUSE AND STORE SERVING THE STEAMBOAT TRADE BETWEEN HARTFORD AND NEW YORK UNTIL 1931) ARE TWO PERMANENT GALLERIES WHICH INCLUDE FINE ART, ARTIFACTS, AND INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS. ON THE FIRST FLOOR VISITORS ENJOY A WORKING REPLICA OF THE FIRST SUBMARINE, THE TURTLE, WHEREIN VISITORS MAY EXPERIENCE CLOSE QUARTERS AND THE IDEA OF BEING SUBMERGED. THE SECOND FLOOR EXPLORES THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND STEAMBOAT ERA. SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS ON OUR THIRD FLOOR EXPLORE MARITIME HISTORY, ENVIROMENTAL ISSUES, AND FINE ART ENGAGINGVISITORS OF ALL AGES.TELL STORIES ABOUT THE RIVER THAT MAY BE UNFAMILIAR BUT NONETHELESS ENGAGING FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES. IN 2024, THE MUSEUM CURATORED "GETTING THERE" WHICH EXPLORED NAVIGATION BEFORE GPS. WITH HANDS-ON ELEMENTS AND FINE-ART, THIS EXHIBITRECEIVED AN AWARD OF MERIT FROM THE CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF MUSEUMS. OUTSIDE ON OUR LAWNS AND DOCKS, VISITORS MAY ATTEND NUMEROUS EVENTS SUCH AS THE BURNING OF THE SHIPS (REMEMBERING THE BRITISH RAID ON ESSEX IN 1814); CONQUER THE CURRENT (A 10 -MILE PADDLE RACE FROM HADDAM TO ESSEX); TREES IN THE RIGGING A TOWN-WIDE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION; AND, LIVE MUSICAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS SHANTIES AND SAILS AND THURSDAYS ON THE DOCK. THE MUSEUM IS STAFFED BY FULL-TIME AND PART- TIME PROFESSIONALS, PLUS SEASONAL BOAT CREW, AND IS GOVERNED BY UP TO 23 TRUSTEES. IN ADDITION UPWARDS OF 40 ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE DEDICATED SERVICE ACROSS A BROAD ARRAY OF NEEDED SKILLS. MUSEUM PROGRAMS THE CONNECTICUT RIVER MUSEUM IS SITUATED ON A RIVERFRONT PROPERTY IN ESSEX, CONNECTICUT UPON WHICH ARE THREE HISTORIC BUILDINGS HOUSING EXHIBITION GALLERIES, A RESEARCH LIBRARY, A MUSEUM SHOP, MEETING/EDUCATION PROGRAM SPACE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. ALONG OUR BULKHEAD RIVERFRONT ARE DOCKS TO WHICH ARE MOORED THREE VESSELS. WE SERVE A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE NUMBERING 31,000 IN 2024, BY PROVIDING UNIQUE PROGRAMS ON LAND, ONLINE AND ON THE WATER. THE MUSEUM OFFERS A ROBUST ARRAY OF EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INSPIRED BY OUR COLLECTION, THE RIVER'S STORIED HISTORY AND OUR LOCATION. INSIDE OUR HISTORIC MUSEUM BUILDING (BUILT IN 1878 AS A WAREHOUSE AND STORE SERVING THE STEAMBOAT TRADE BETWEEN HARTFORD AND NEW YORK UNTIL 1931) ARE TWO PERMANENT GALLERIES WHICH INCLUDE FINE ART, ARTIFACTS, AND INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS. ON THE FIRST FLOOR VISITORS ENJOY A WORKING REPLICA OF THE FIRST SUBMARINE, THE TURTLE, WHEREIN VISITORS MAY EXPERIENCE CLOSE QUARTERS AND THE IDEA OF BEING SUBMERGED. THE SECOND FLOOR EXPLORES THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND STEAMBOAT ERA. SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS ON OUR THIRD FLOOR EXPLORE MARITIME HISTORY, ENVIROMENTAL ISSUES, AND FINE ART ENGAGINGVISITORS OF ALL AGES.TELL STORIES ABOUT THE RIVER THAT MAY BE UNFAMILIAR BUT NONETHELESS ENGAGING FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES. IN 2024, THE MUSEUM CURATORED "GETTING THERE" WHICH EXPLORED NAVIGATION BEFORE GPS. WITH HANDS-ON ELEMENTS AND FINE-ART, THIS EXHIBITRECEIVED AN AWARD OF MERIT FROM THE CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF MUSEUMS. OUTSIDE ON OUR LAWNS AND DOCKS, VISITORS MAY ATTEND NUMEROUS EVENTS SUCH AS THE BURNING OF THE SHIPS (REMEMBERING THE BRITISH RAID ON ESSEX IN 1814); CONQUER THE CURRENT (A 10 -MILE PADDLE RACE FROM HADDAM TO ESSEX); TREES IN THE RIGGING A TOWN-WIDE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION; AND, LIVE MUSICAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS SHANTIES AND SAILS AND THURSDAYS ON THE DOCK. THE MUSEUM IS STAFFED BY FULL-TIME AND PART- TIME PROFESSIONALS, PLUS SEASONAL BOAT CREW, AND IS GOVERNED BY UP TO 23 TRUSTEES. IN ADDITION UPWARDS OF 40 ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE DEDICATED SERVICE ACROSS A BROAD ARRAY OF NEEDED SKILLS.
- $315,497 spent. WATERFRONT PROGRAMS: ON THE RIVER THE MUSEUM HAS A FIXED PIER AS WELL AS FLOATING DOCKS TO WHICH ARE MOORED THREE VESSELS: A 30-PASSENGER RECREATION OF ADRIAEN BLOCK'S 17TH CENTURY VESSEL OF TRADE AND EXPLORATION CALLED THE ONRUST; A 50-PASSENGER RESEARCH VESSEL CALLED RIVERQUEST; AND A 24'ALUMINUM WORK BOAT USED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING, ENVIROMENTAL STUDY AND WATERFRONT UTILITY. THE MUSEUM SECURED OWNERSHIP OF ONRUST IN 2021 AND PROVIDES NARRATED EXCURSIONS ON THE RIVER IN-SEASON. IN 2022, THE MUSEUM ACQUIRED RIVERQUEST WHICH OPERATES A FULL SUMMER SEASON OF NARRATED RIVER TRIPS AND A WINTER TRIP SCHEDULE FOR WATCHING AMERICAN BALD EAGLES AND OTHER BIRD LIFE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS SEVERAL THEMED CRUISES PER YEAR ONBOARD RIVERQUEST AND ONRUST FOR CELEBRATORY OCCASIONS SUCH AS MOTHER'S DAY, FATHER'S DAY, AND HALLOWEEN. OUR VESSELS ARE WELL-UTILIZED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEISURE AND LEARNING, HAVING SERVED ABOUT 10,000 PASSENGERS. WATERFRONT PROGRAMS: ON THE RIVER THE MUSEUM HAS A FIXED PIER AS WELL AS FLOATING DOCKS TO WHICH ARE MOORED THREE VESSELS: A 30-PASSENGER RECREATION OF ADRIAEN BLOCK'S 17TH CENTURY VESSEL OF TRADE AND EXPLORATION CALLED THE ONRUST; A 50-PASSENGER RESEARCH VESSEL CALLED RIVERQUEST; AND A 24'ALUMINUM WORK BOAT USED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING, ENVIROMENTAL STUDY AND WATERFRONT UTILITY. THE MUSEUM SECURED OWNERSHIP OF ONRUST IN 2021 AND PROVIDES NARRATED EXCURSIONS ON THE RIVER IN-SEASON. IN 2022, THE MUSEUM ACQUIRED RIVERQUEST WHICH OPERATES A FULL SUMMER SEASON OF NARRATED RIVER TRIPS AND A WINTER TRIP SCHEDULE FOR WATCHING AMERICAN BALD EAGLES AND OTHER BIRD LIFE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS SEVERAL THEMED CRUISES PER YEAR ONBOARD RIVERQUEST AND ONRUST FOR CELEBRATORY OCCASIONS SUCH AS MOTHER'S DAY, FATHER'S DAY, AND HALLOWEEN. OUR VESSELS ARE WELL-UTILIZED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEISURE AND LEARNING, HAVING SERVED ABOUT 10,000 PASSENGERS.
- $158,509 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS EDUCATION IS CENTRAL TO THE MUSEUM'S MISSION. THE STORIES OF THE NATURAL CONNECTICUT RIVER AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED ON OR NEAR IT FOR MILLENNIA ARE TOLD NOT ONLY IN PERMANENT AND CHANGING GALLERY EXHIBITIONS BUT ALSO THROUGH ABUNDANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. IN OUR MEETING SPACES WE HOST A YEAR-LONG SERIES OF LECTURES AND BOOK SIGNINGS ON TOPICS ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM, BUT WITH THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY AND RIVERS IN GENERAL AS A UNIFYING THEME. K-12 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE MAKE USE OF CURRICULUM ALIGNED WITH STATE AND NEXT GEN STANDARD THAT SUPPORT CLASSROOM TEACHING IN ART, HISTORY, LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH AND SCIENCE. REGULAR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE OFFERED MONTHLY AND DURING THE SCHOOL VACATIONS. THE MUSEUM ALSO SERVES STUDENTS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, HOME SCHOOL FAMILES , AND OFFERS SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS AGED 5-12. CRM PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALLOW UNDERSERVED STUDENT POPULATIONS TO ATTEND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT NO COST. ADULT PROGRAMMING CONSISTS OF TALKS, LECTURES, SYMPOSIA, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND TOURS; DOCENT-LED TOURS OF THE PERMENENT COLLECTIONS; SPECIALTY EXHIBITION TOURS; DOCENT-LED TOURS FOR ADULT/COLLEGE GROUPS; EXHIBITION OPENINGS AND MEMBER-ONLY PREVIEWS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS EDUCATION IS CENTRAL TO THE MUSEUM'S MISSION. THE STORIES OF THE NATURAL CONNECTICUT RIVER AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED ON OR NEAR IT FOR MILLENNIA ARE TOLD NOT ONLY IN PERMANENT AND CHANGING GALLERY EXHIBITIONS BUT ALSO THROUGH ABUNDANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. IN OUR MEETING SPACES WE HOST A YEAR-LONG SERIES OF LECTURES AND BOOK SIGNINGS ON TOPICS ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM, BUT WITH THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY AND RIVERS IN GENERAL AS A UNIFYING THEME. K-12 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE MAKE USE OF CURRICULUM ALIGNED WITH STATE AND NEXT GEN STANDARD THAT SUPPORT CLASSROOM TEACHING IN ART, HISTORY, LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH AND SCIENCE. REGULAR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE OFFERED MONTHLY AND DURING THE SCHOOL VACATIONS. THE MUSEUM ALSO SERVES STUDENTS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, HOME SCHOOL FAMILES , AND OFFERS SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS AGED 5-12. CRM PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALLOW UNDERSERVED STUDENT POPULATIONS TO ATTEND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT NO COST. ADULT PROGRAMMING CONSISTS OF TALKS, LECTURES, SYMPOSIA, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND TOURS; DOCENT-LED TOURS OF THE PERMENENT COLLECTIONS; SPECIALTY EXHIBITION TOURS; DOCENT-LED TOURS FOR ADULT/COLLEGE GROUPS; EXHIBITION OPENINGS AND MEMBER-ONLY PREVIEWS.
- $21,692 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES THE MUSEUM CONDUCTS TWO MAJOR EVENTS EACH YEAR WHICH ARE IMAGINATIVELY CREATED AND MULTI-PURPOSED. THESE EVENTS NOT ONLY BOLSTER FINANCIAL SUPPORT, BUT ALSO REINFORCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND BUILD ON THE STRONG RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN THE MUSEUM AND OUR LOCAL AND WIDER COMMUNITY.
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES THE MUSEUM CONDUCTS TWO MAJOR EVENTS EACH YEAR WHICH ARE IMAGINATIVELY CREATED AND MULTI-PURPOSED. THESE EVENTS NOT ONLY BOLSTER FINANCIAL SUPPORT, BUT ALSO REINFORCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND BUILD ON THE STRONG RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN THE MUSEUM AND OUR LOCAL AND WIDER COMMUNITY.
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
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 June 2025.
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 1974.
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.