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Air Force Museum Foundation Inc

EIN 31-0668800 · Dayton, OH

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 ASSIST IN DEVELOPING AND INCREASING THE FACILITIES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND TO PORTRAY AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND ITS PREDECESSOR SERVICES BY EXHIBITING AERONAUTICAL ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CELEBRATED EVENTS, IMPORTANT ERA AND NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE AIR FORCE.

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
57.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 36%
Employees
107
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$327,313, former ceo

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 57.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% 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 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 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

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

    27 of 27 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, 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. $3.5 million spent. OPERATION OF A MUSEUM STORE (INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT BOOK STORE OF USAF AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS), AIR FORCE MUSEUM THEATRE, SIMULATORS, AND EVENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. OPERATION OF A SMALL SNACK SHOP EATING FACILITY. OPERATIONS INCLUDE PUBLICIZING THE MUSEUM AND FURTHERING ITS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO NEARLY 1 MILLION VISITORS/YEAR.
  2. $884,080 spent. PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR MUSEUM OPERATIONS, INCLUDING FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, PROMOTION OF THE MUSEUM AND ITS MANY VARIED ACTIVITIES, SUPPORT FOR THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION, SUPPORT FOR EXHIBITS AND RESTORATIONS, SUPPORT FOR TRAVELING TEMPORARY EXHIBIT, SUPPORT FOR THE MUSEUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING SPACE CAMP, TEACHER TRAINING, HOME SCHOOL EVENTS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS MILITARY GROUP REUNIONS, CONCERTS, EXHIBIT OPENINGS, ETC.

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 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 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 January 1966.

    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.

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.