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Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

EIN 26-0803466 · Triangle, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MARINE CORPS HERITAGE FOUNDATION PRESERVES AND PROMULGATES THE HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF THE MARINE CORPS AND EDUCATES ALL AMERICANS IN ITS VIRTUES.

Income
$11.1 million
Spending
$15.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
21.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
50
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$268,086, president & ceo

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $9.6 million spent. PROGRAMS FOR THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MARINE CORPS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM COLLECTIONS/EXHIBITS, ARTWORK, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS, A VOLUNTEER DOCENT PROGRAM, PAYROLL SUPPORT FOR INTERNS AND SPECIAL ASSISTANTS, MARKETING, AND HERITAGE CENTER PROPERTY/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE. THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTS ALL RETAIL OPERATIONS WITHIN THE MUSEUM WHICH INCLUDE THE GIFT SHOP, TWO RESTAURANTS, SPECIAL EVENTS, A LASER RIFLE RANGE, AND A GIANT SCREEN MOVIE THEATER SHOWING THE FOUNDATION'S FEATURE FILM, "WE, THE MARINES". DURING 2024, THE MUSEUM HOSTED 35,252 VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON STUDENTS AND A TOTAL OF 368,660 VISITORS. THE INTERN/SPECIAL ASSISTANT PROGRAMS HAD 16 STAFF MEMBERS WITH SUPPORT TOTALING $530,795, TRAVELING EXHIBITS SUPPORT TOTALED $36,793 , AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT TOTALED $108,264. TOTAL EXPENSES INCLUDE $5.6M DEPRECIATION ON THE MUSEUM AND HERITAGE CENTER.
  2. $1.4 million spent. OTHER FOUNDATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL NATIONAL HISTORY DAY (NHD) COMPETITIONS, GRANTS FOR USMC HISTORICAL PROJECTS; USMC BAND CONCERTO AND "CALL FOR SCORES" MUSIC COMPETITIONS AND STAFF ASSISTANCE; EVENTS HONORING SIGNIFICANT DATES IN USMC HISTORY, AND AN ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM RECOGNIZING EXEMPLARY WORK THAT FURTHERS THE UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE CORPS HISTORY AND TRADITIONS. GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF NHD TOTALED $4,050. THE AWARDS PROGRAM HAD 22 WINNERS RECEIVING A TOTAL OF $32,000 IN CASH PRIZES. USMC BAND SUPPORT INCLUDED 1 MUSIC COMPETITION CASH PRIZES TOTALING $24,055 AND 1 STAFF MEMBER WITH SUPPORT TOTALING $21,834. THREE GRANTS TOTALING $46,000 WERE AWARDED TO THE USMC HISTORICAL COMPANY, COL GLENN HARNED, AND THREE LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
  3. $110,382 spent. HISTORICAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR THE MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY HISTORY DIVISION'S INTERNS, RESEARCH GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS, AND ACADEMIC DEGREE SCHOLARSHIPS. DURING 2024, 1 EDUCATIONAL GRANT WAS AWARDED TOTALING $40,833; AND THE USMC HISTORY DIVISION INTERN / SPECIAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM HAD 4 STAFF MEMBERS WITH SUPPORT TOTALING $65,711.

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 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 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 April 2008.

    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.