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Military Heritage Foundation

EIN 25-1830984 · Carlisle, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE U.S. ARMY HERITAGE AND EDUCATION CENTER (USAHEC) AND ITS PROGRAMS AND TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE THE CENTER'S AND THE FOUNDATION'S ABILITY TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOLDIERS AND THE U.S. ARMY TO OUR NATION.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$855,473
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
11
Volunteers
168
Highest pay
$69,813, president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
  1. $92,395 spent. SUPPORT TO THE U.S. ARMY. THE ARMY HERITAGE CENTER FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS IN 2024 TO SUPPORT THE U.S. ARMY BY ADVANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE U.S. ARMY HERITAGE AND EDUCATION CENTER (USAHEC); PROMOTING THE CENTER AS A MAJOR RESEARCH CENTER; AND ENHANCING ITS COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMS, AND OUTREACH. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION EXPENDED $128,021 TO SUPPORT THESE OBJECTIVES.BASED ON STATED NEEDS FROM THE ARMY, THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE HALL OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER WAS DISCONTINUED. THE FOUNDATION DID, HOWEVER, SEEK AND OBTAIN A COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA REDEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE CAPITAL PROGRAM MATCHING GRANT (RACP) TO ENHANCE THE SPACE AROUND THE EVENT PAVILION AND IMPROVE HANDICAP ACCESS TO THE LOCATION. THE FOUNDATION SPENT 2024 WORKING WITH THE ARMY AND A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT ON THE DESIGN OF THE ENHANCEMENTS TO THE PAVILION AREA TO INCLUDE CONCRETE PATHWAYS TO THE AREA FROM THE FRONT OF THE COMPLEX, ADDITIONAL SEATING, A STAGE, AND A FIRE PIT. THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVE ROLE WORKING WITH POTENTIAL DONORS OF MANUSCRIPT AND LIBRARY COLLECTIONS WAS MAINTAINED. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION FACILITATED 18 IN-KIND DONATIONS THAT WERE PROCESSED AND/OR TRANSFERRED TO THE ARMY WITH A VALUE OF $4,366.88.
  2. $145,985 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSTHE FOUNDATION'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO PROMOTE THE USE OF USAHEC'S COLLECTIONS, THE STUDY OF HISTORY, AND OUTREACH TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON A LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL BASIS. THE FOUNDATION EXPENDED $130,028 ON THESE INITIATIVES.FOR 2024, THE FOUNDATION AGAIN MANAGED THE NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IN PENNSYLVANIA (NHD IN PA) PROGRAM. FOUNDATION STAFF WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS FACILITATED REGIONAL CONTESTS AND PLANNED AND EXECUTED THE STATE CONTEST AT SCRANTON UNIVERSITY. THE CONTEST AT THE STATE LEVEL SUPPORTED APPROXIMATELY 570 STUDENTS AND STUDENT TEAMS AND RESULTED IN 62 ATTENDING THE NATIONAL CONTEST.
  3. $130,470 spent. MUSEUM STOREIN 2024, THE MUSEUM STORE CONTINUED TO FACE CHALLENGES DUE TO CONTINUED REDUCED ONSITE VISITATION. THE STORE MADE $4877.72 IN 2024.
  4. $204,928 spent. OTHER GENERAL PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDED FUNDS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC, MEMBER, AND FOUNDATION FOCUSED PROGRAMS. THESE INCLUDED EXPENSES OF STAFF TIME PERFORMING RESEARCH FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PRESENTING LECTURES AND BRIEFINGS TO A VARIETY OF GROUPS, NEWSLETTERS TO FOUNDATION MEMBERS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS.IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION HOSTED TWO ON SITE DINNERS. THE ARMY BIRTHDAY PROGRAM IN JUNE FEATURED THE CARLISLE TOWN BAND. IN NOVEMBER 2024, THE FOUNDATION'S MEMBERSHIP AND RECOGNITION DINNER OCCURRED WITH HONORING FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR THOMAS CORBETT, AND THE FIRST TROOP PHILADELPHIA CITY CAVALRY.ALSO CONTINUING IN 2024 WAS THE FOUNDATION'S SUPPORT OF ARMY MANDATED BATTLEFIELD STAFF RIDES FOR TO BE COMMISSIONED ROTC CADETS. THE FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH TRAINED AND LICENSED GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD GUIDES TO PROVIDE FACILITATORS FOR THE STAFF RIDES. CADETS ALSO VISIT USAHEC TO LEARN ABOUT THE CENTER. SOME EVEN STAY IN THE ONSITE REPLICA WWII BARRACKS TO OFFSET LODGING COSTS. PLANS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM NATIONALLY AND ADD ADDITIONAL MUSEUM LOCATIONS FOR THE CADETS TO VISIT WERE PUT IN PLACE DUE TO THE CREATION OF THE COLONEL DONALD ESPER ROTC ENDOWMENT. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION HOSTED 26 SCHOOLS FOR THESE STAFF RIDES. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PARTNERED FOR OR HOSTED ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH AUSA HUNTSVILLE CHAPTER IN MAY FOR A PROGRAM IN ALABAMA FOCUSING ON VETERANS OF OPERATION EAGLE CLAW. AT THE AUSA NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN OCTOBER IN WASHINGTON, DC., THE FOUNDATION HOSTED AN INFORMATIONAL BOOTH. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HELD A SNEAK PEAK RECEPTION FOR USAHEC'S NEWEST EXHIBIT, MYRIAD. IN JUNE, THE FOUNDATION HOSTED A VETERAN'S CAFE PROGRAM WITH MG GREGG MARTIN, USA RET. AS THE GUEST SPEAKER. IN SEPTEMBER THE FOUNDATION HOSTED THE 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION BAND FOR A CONCERT AT USAHEC. THE FOUNDATION ALSO WORKED WITH AUSA AUGUSTA CHAPTER ON A PROGRAM IN AUGUSTA FEATURING GENERAL DAVIS PETRAEUS, USA RETIRED, WHICH WAS UNFORTUNATELY CANCELLED LAST MINUTE DUE TO HURRICANE DAMAGE. IN DECEMBER, THE FOUNDATION HOSTED SERGEANT SANTA AT THE MUSEUM STORE.THE FOUNDATION ALSO SOLD FLAGS FOR MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS DAY TO HONOR VETERANS AND SOLDIERS. THE FLAGS WERE PLACED ON THE GROUNDS OF USAHEC

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 June 1999.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Heritage Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 23-7327730. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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