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National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc

EIN 34-1580038 · North Canton, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A CATALYST FOR CHANGE THROUGH RECOGNIZING INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS, PROMOTING CREATIVITY, AND ADVANCING THE SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

Income
$49.5 million
Spending
$44.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
15.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
269
Volunteers
13,242
Highest pay
$880,256, ceo to 9/7, exec chairman at 9/8

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 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 (3)
  1. $33.1 million spent. CHILDREN'S EDUCATION - PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE MAJOR ROLE THAT INVENTION, INVENTORS AND PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS PLAY IN AMERICA'S ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL SUCCESS AND TO NURTURE THE CREATIVE AND INVENTIVE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN CHILDREN AND TO INSPIRE THEM TO ENTER THE EXCITING FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND MATH IN AN EFFORT TO CONTINUE AMERICA'S DOMINANCE IN THE FUTURE.
  2. $2.5 million spent. OTHER INVENTOR RECOGNITION - OPERATE RECOGNITION PROGRAMS FOR INVENTORS AND OTHER IP OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS, AND PRODUCE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC EVENTS THAT HONOR EDUCATE, AND ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENT INVENTORS, AND ENTREPRENEURS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. MUSEUM & INVENTORS EXHIBITS - THE NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM HOUSED IN THE US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE IN ALEXANDRIA, VA. IS OPERATED AND MAINTAINED BY NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME, INC. EACH YEAR A NEW EXHIBIT IS BUILT AND INSTALLED AT THE MUSEUM. THE ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY IS ALSO CREATED AND PRODUCED BY NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME, INC.

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 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 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 September 1988.

    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.