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Montpelier Foundation

EIN 31-1620682 · Mntpelier Sta, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A MEMORIAL TO JAMES MADISON AND THE ENSLAVED COMMUNITY, A MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, AND A CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION THAT ENGAGES THE PUBLIC WITH THE ENDURING LEGACY OF MADISON'S MOST POWERFUL IDEA: GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE.

Income
$14.5 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
103
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$248,853, former president

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 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 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 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 171% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (3)
  1. $2.3 million spent. EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT: WORKING CLOSELY WITH ARCHAEOLOGY, HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND COLLECTIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT OVERSEES ALL PUBLIC PROGRAMMING AT MONTPELIER. THIS INCLUDES DEVELOPING TOUR CONTENT, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, AND PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENT AND ADULT GROUPS. IT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF THE AWARD-WINNING EXHIBITION THE MERE DISTINCTION OF COLOUR.
  2. $523,435 spent. HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND COLLECTIONS:HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND COLLECTIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF MONTPELIER'S HISTORIC STRUCTURES - MANY ASSOCIATED WITH THE DUPONT ERA - IN ADDITION TO LEADING SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SUCH AS THE SOUTH YARD. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ARCHITECTURAL FIELDWORK BY EXAMINING WOOD SPECIES, NAILS, WINDOWS, DECORATIVE MOULDINGS, AND MORE, TO ENSURE THAT THE RECONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS ARE AS HISTORICALLY ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE. FOR EXAMPLE, DURING THE RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE, THE RECOVERY OF A SINGLE MADISON-ERA SHINGLE WHILE INVESTIGATING THE ROOF FRAMING LED TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE TEMPLE ROOF WAS ORIGINALLY PAINTED RED.CURATORIAL AND COLLECTIONS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FURNISHING OF THE HOUSE AND OTHER RECONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS ON THE PROPERTY. ALL OF THE INSTALLATIONS AND ACQUISITIONS ARE BASED, AT LEAST IN PART, ON THE WORK AND DISCOVERIES OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE ARCHAEOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION. RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE THE FURNISHING PLANS FOR THE SOUTH YARD QUARTERS; THE ACQUISITION OF THE ARTWORK IN THE SOUTH PASSAGE OF THE HOUSE; THE ACQUISITION OF OBJECTS CONNECTED TO DOLLEY MADISON: A LADY'S POCKET WATCH, SEWING KIT, AND MINIATURE PAINTING OF THE YOUNG MRS. MADISON; AND THE MOST RECENT FURNISHINGS OF JOHN PAYNE TODD'S BEDROOM, A GUEST BEDROOM, AND AN "INTERACTIVE" ROOM.
  3. $561,362 spent. ROBERT H. SMITH CENTER FOR THE CONSTITUTION:THE ROBERT H. SMITH CENTER FOR THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES WORLD-CLASS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, BOTH ON-SITE AND ONLINE. PARTICIPANTS COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO ENGAGE IN CIVIC DIALOGUE, IMPROVE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED STATES, AND DEEPEN THEIR POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN DEMOCRACY. SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING IS OFFERED FOR EDUCATORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVANTS.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.