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Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society

EIN 23-7440330 · Gig Harbor, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HARBOR HISTORY MUSEUM INSPIRES CURIOSITY ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS AS THEY CONNECT TO THE WORLD AROUND US.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$732,409
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
10
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$97,205, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 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. $537,585 spent. RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE: A) 1925 COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL SHENANDOAH,; FUNDING BY A WASHINGTON STATE HERITAGE GRANT, PIERCE COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION, HUMANITITES WASHINGTON, AND LOCAL DONORS; VOLUNTEER-BASED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A SHIPWRIGHT; INCLUDES PUBLIC OUTREACH TO SHOWCASE THE RESTORATION TECHNIQUES, PROCESS AND TOOLS; B)1893 MIDWAY ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE; PROVIDES IMMERSION EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS INTO THE HISTORY OF SCHOOLHOUSE EDUCATION; FUNDING BY GIG HARBOR GARDEN TOUR ASSOCIATION; AND C) RESTORATION,PRESERVATION, AND INTERPRETATION OF THE 1958 THUNDERBIRD HULL NUMBER 1 SAILBOAT, BUILT AT THE EDDON BOAT COMPANY IN GIG HARBOR.
  2. $15,350 spent. EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH: WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, TOURS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS RELATING TO CURRENT EXHIBITS (SOMETIMES PARTNERING WITH AREA NON-PROFITS AND ART GROUPS), THE PIONEER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WHICH PROVIDES CURRICULUM-BASED HISTORY LESSONS TO MORE THAN 1,500 PENINSULA AREA STUDENTS ANNUALLY IN THE 1893 ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE.
  3. $845 spent. MUSEUM EXHIBITS AND RESEARCH LIBRARY: 2 CUSTOM HISTORY EXHIBITS CREATED EACH YEAR IN-HOUSE, 2-3 CUSTOM ART EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHTING PACIFIC NORTHWEST ADULT AND YOUTH ARTISTS; OFFERS A TRAVELING EXHIBIT PROGRAM. THE RESEARCH LIBRARY PROVIDES HISTORY, PHOTOGRAPH, BIOGRAPHY, AND GENEALOGY RESEARCH ONSITE, BY PHONE AND EMAIL REQUEST.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 February 1976.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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