African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 27% 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 AARCH SOCIETY IDENTIFIES, COLLECTS, PRESERVES, AND MAKES PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE, THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, THE OBJECTS, ARTIFACTS AND STORIES ABOUT THE HISTORY, RICH HERITAGE AND CULTURE AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN FREDERICK COUNTY PAST AND PRESENT AND IN DOING SO EDUCATES, ENRICHES AND ENLIGHTENS THIS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $876,403
- Spending
- $137,595
- Spent on programs
- 27%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $17,692, executive director
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
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 84% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 167% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1527% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $15,625 spent. HERITAGE CENTER FACILITY FOR RESEARCH, DISPLAYS, PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES. IN THE CENTER, VISITORS PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, UNDERTAKE RESEARCH, LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE THE CULTURAL OBJECTS THAT TELL THE RICH AND COMPELLING STORIES AND HISTORY ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS IN FREDERICK COUNTY THROUGH PERMANENT AND CHANGING EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ENRICHMENT AND TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES. THIS FACILITY IS IN THE CONSTRUCTION STAGE. IT WILL OPEN IN LATE 2024. THE CITY OF FREDERICK HAS PROVIDED A BUILDING WITH A SUBSIDIZED LONG-TERM LEASE AND PROFFITT & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS ARE PROVIDING PRO BONO SUPPORT FOR THE REDESIGN OF THE BUILDING.
- $21,207 spent. EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOCUSED ON BRINGING THE STORIES OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN FREDERICK COUNTY TO VARIED AUDIENCES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE LIVING TREASURES (CELEBRATING COMMUNITY ELDERS), FAMILY HISTORY FAIRS, CEMETERY RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION, WALKING TOURS, AARCH READS (CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE THROUGH READING TO CHILDREN), AND VARIOUS PRESENTATIONS AND DISPLAYS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.
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
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 December 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 January 2013.
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 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.