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Vaughan Woods and Historic Homestead

EIN 31-1705280 · Hallowell, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VAUGHAN WOODS AND HISTORIC HOMESTEAD CONNECTS PEOPLE TO PLACE THROUGH NATURE, HISTORY AND THE ARTS BY PRESERVING AND STEWARDING ITS NATURAL, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES AND SHARING THEM WITH THE COMMUNITY OF HALLOWELL, MAINE AND BEYOND.

Income
$485,005
Spending
$500,067
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
72.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 81%
Employees
7
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$66,014, executive director

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 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 72.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $212,409 spent. MAINTAIN THE VAUGHAN HOMESTEAD, ITS SURROUNDING GARDENS AND GROUNDS, AND ITS COLLECTION OF HISTORIC DOCUMENTS AND ARTIFACTS AS RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR USE IN PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDES "MOORE ICE COMPANY FIELD TRIPS TO CASCADE POND" WITH HALL DALE 4TH GRADE, "HISTORIANS LOVE MAPS" FIELD TRIP TO THE HOMESTEAD WITH HALL-DALE 3RD GRADE,"SUMMER MUSEUM INTERNSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP" PROGRAM TO PROVIDING COLLEGE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WITH A HANDS-ON INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE IN A SMALL MUSEUM, ONGOING HISTORICAL EXHIBIT AT HUBBARD LIBRARY, "NIGHT OUT AT THE MUSEUM FINE ARTS TOUR," "COMMUNITY MAYPOLE DANCE," "SUMMER HOUSE TOURS," "FALL COMMUNITY GATHERING," SENIOR COLLEGE VISIT, HOST GASLIGHT THEATER SUMMER PERFORMANCES, HOST HALL-DALE MIDDLE SCHOOL "DAY OF CARING" 7TH GRADE SERVICE PROJECT, AND HOST THE KENNEBEC LAND TRUST ANNUAL BOARD AND ADVISOR'S DINNER. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED UTILIZING THE HISTORICAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING THAT SUPPORTS HALL-DALE 3RD GRADE AND 4TH GRADE CURRICULUM, PROMOTING COMMUNITY BY SHARING THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS AND GROUNDS FOR USE BY LOCAL SCHOOLS AND GROUPS, CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THEIR LOCAL NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND PROMOTE STEWARDSHIP OF THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH FUN AND EDUCATIONAL OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING, ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN DISCOURSE ABOUT HISTORY AND HISTORICAL OBJECTS THROUGH THE LENS OF THE VAUGHAN FAMILY AND THEIR SEVEN GENERATIONS OF RESIDENCY AT THE VAUGHAN HOMESTEAD, PROMOTE COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP BY HOSTING DAY LONG SERVICE EVENT ON THE TRAILS AND AROUND THE GROUNDS OF THE VAUGHAN HOMESTEAD, SHARE COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND PROMOTE AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR COMMUNITY'S PAST THROUGH INTERPRETIVE EXHIBITS DISPLAYED AT LOCAL LIBRARY. ESTIMATED 21,200 PEOPLE IN 2024 SERVED.
  2. $125,097 spent. MAINTAIN VAUGHAN WOODS NATURE PRESERVE FOR PUBLIC USE BY PROVIDING ACCESS 365 DAYS PER YEAR TO THE PUBLIC FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRAIL WALKING, NATURE STUDY, PICNICKING, SNOW SHOEING AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING. IN ADDITION TO PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE, TEACHERS AT THE ADJACENT SCHOOLS REPORT DAILY USE OF THE VAUGHAN WOODS' TRAILS FOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BIOLOGY UNITS, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CLASSES, POETRY UNITS, ADVISORY WALKS, NATURE WRITING ACTIVITIES, PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES, SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS, CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM PRACTICE, AND CLASSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY, DRAWING AND PAINTING. VWHH OFFERS PROGRAMS IN VAUGHAN WOODS THAT INCLUDE HISTORICAL INTERPRETIVE WALKS, GUIDED SNOWSHOE HIKES, AND OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND OUR LOCAL AFTER SCHOOL NATURE PLAY GROUP. ESTIMATED 40,000 PEOPLE SERVED ANNUALLY.

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 June 2023.

    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.