Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

California Historical Radio Society

EIN 23-7451417 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Educate and promote the history of radio and radio broadcasting to the public. Establish and operate an education center and museum to tell the story of radio history. Maintain and operate amateur radio as a matter of historical preservation and outreach.

Income
$668,681
Spending
$511,575
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
25.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
3
Volunteers
140

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (4)
  1. $208,144 spent. Historic Facility Preservation & Public BenefitCHRS has preserved and maintains a historically significant radio and communications facility in Alameda, restoring and adapting it for public use. Built in 1900 as the original Alameda telephone exchange, Sunset Telephone and Telegraph, we honor this history in the building. In 2025, the site supported museum exhibitions, educational programs, public events, community meetings, and youth camps. Restoration and maintenance ensured public access, safety, and long-term preservation of cultural heritage, while adaptive reuse transformed the historic property into an active community resource benefiting residents, students, visitors, and partner organizations.
  2. $161,500 spent. Public Engagement & EducationIn 2025, California Historical Radio Society engaged more than 5,000 people through public programs, exhibitions, and educational events. Activities included large-scale community events such as Radio Day by the Bay, monthly speaker programs on broadcasting and communications history, hands-on workshops, and free drop-in and scheduled tours. CHRS also operated summer camps in broadcasting and podcasting, and electronics, serving 30 students, half on full scholarships, and reaching diverse audiences across the Bay Area.
  3. $40,092 spent. Environmental Sustainability & Waste DiversionCHRS advances environmental sustainability by restoring, repairing, and reselling historic electronic equipment that would otherwise enter the waste stream. Through its repair shop and electronics sales program, CHRS refurbished hundreds of radios and components in 2025, extending product life cycles and promoting reuse. Sales of restored equipment generated significant earned revenue supporting nonprofit programs while demonstrating practical waste diversion, environmental education, and sustainable alternatives to disposal for the community, region, and collectors nationwide.
  4. $9,544 spent. The California Historical Radio Society (CHRS) serves a diverse membership of over 690 individuals offering a range of programs and benefits. Members enjoy access to educational workshops, speaker events, a bi-annual journal, and opportunities to participate in preserving and celebrating the history of electronic communication, our volunteers are on site twice a week and on Saturdays we offer a community lunch for the volunteers fostering a vibrant and engaged community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 July 1975.

    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.