Worthington Historical Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 32% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Worthington Historical Society (WHS) creates experiences that inspire and promote public interest in Worthington's history. To preserve the city's legacy for future generations, the Society maintains historic properties, interprets collections, and offers educational opportunities. Founded in 1955, WHS celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It maintains three properties: the Orange Johnson House, the Old Rectory (home to the Doll Museum, offices, Shop, and collections), and the Jeffers Mound. The WHS collects and maintains items directly tied to Worthington's history providing a repository for the community's collective history and materials; objects, photographs, archives, and first person accounts passed down through many mediums that together form a rich, multi-dimensional picture of the city's past. These collections are maintained for the community's benefit.
- Income
- $180,212
- Spending
- $115,192
- Spent on programs
- 32%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 175
- Highest pay
- $37,377, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1532% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)
- $31,543 spent. Preservation and maintenance of three historical properties and collections. Both the Orange Johnson House (High St.) and Old Rectory (New England Ave.) are open to the public. The Orange Johnson House was built in 1811 and the Old Rectory was built in 1845. Both buildings have a long history of service to the City of Worthington. The H.P. Jeffers Mound is considered to be the oldest manmade structure in Worthington, dating back to the time frame 100 B.C. to 400 A.D constructed by people of the Hopewell culture. All three properties are on the National Register of Historic Places. Each of the three properties require significant financial investment to maintain and preserve for future generations.
- $5,770 spent. The Society provides educational opportunities to the public to learn about Worthington history. Established programs include Worthington History Days, which is offered for third graders from all of the 13 Worthington elementary schools (public & private). Students are immersed in the city's history through tours and activities at the Orange Johnson House (1811/1819), St. John's Cemetery & Church and a walking tour of the Historic District's commercial strip. Frequent open houses at the Orange Johnson House that illustrate pioneer lifestyles. Additional educational programs are offered throughout the year with walking tours, bus tours, and ghost tours about Worthington history that provide stories about the buildings, events and people who lived in Worthington.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1962.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.