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Portland Museum Inc

EIN 23-7422794 · Louisville, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PORTLAND MUSEUM IS AN INNOVATIVE AND COMPELLING NEIGHBORHOOD MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM BOLDLY WEAVES EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES, COLLECTIONS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO EXCITE, CHALLENGE AND ILLUMINATE OUR NEIGHBORS, VISITORS, AND PARTICIPANTS WHILE PROVIDING INSIGHT INTO OUR ART, HISTORY, CULTURE, AND HERITAGE.

Income
$828,303
Spending
$382,965
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
16.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
3
Volunteers
77
Highest pay
$62,765, co-executive director

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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (2)
  1. $173,035 spent. LEGACY MUSEUM PROGRAMING: THE PORTLAND MUSEUM CELEBRATES THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF PORTLAND, KY, THROUGH PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, ART, EXHIBITIONS, COLLECTIONS, RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS, AND THE HENRIETTA HELM LEGACY ENDOWMENT THAT SUPPORTS U OF L'S LOUISVILLE TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM. PROGRAMS INCLUDE VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS AND FORUMS PROMOTING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY. ART AND HISTORY EXHIBITS ROTATE, BRINGING WITH THEM RELEVANT EVENTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. COLLECTION MANAGEMENT IS THE CARE AND STORAGE OF THE COLLECTIONS, CATALOGING AND STORING MATERIALS, AND ASSOCIATED OVERHEAD. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE ON-SITE LETTER-PRESSED MATERIALS BASED ON OUR ACHIEVE AND NEIGHBORHOOD'S ART, CULTURE, AND HISTORY.
  2. $20,753 spent. AHOY MUSEUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROGRAMMING AND MISSION: CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR LOUISVILLE'S FIRST CHILDREN'S MUSEUM CALLED AHOY (ADVENTURE HOUSE OF YOU) ADDRESSES PRESSING REGIONAL CHALLENGES BY IMPROVING QUALITY FOR LIFE, EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND FOSTERING CHILDREN'S IMAGINATIONS THROUGH IMMERSIVE EXHIBITS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ARTIST RESIDENCIES. THIS INITIATIVE CONTRIBUTES TO INNER-CITY REVITALIZATION AND ESTIMATES GROWTH WITH A BOLDLY INCLUSIVE VISION.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.