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Northern in Historical Society

EIN 35-1124156 · South Bend, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PRESERVE OUR REGIONS HERITAGE AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR COLLECTIONS, EXHIBITS, AND PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP AN INFORMED UNDERSTANDING OF THE PAST.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
35
Volunteers
87
Highest pay
$84,990, executive di

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE HISTORY MUSEUM PRESERVES OUR REGION'S HERITAGE AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR COLLECTIONS, EXHIBITS, AND PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP AN INFORMED UNDERSTANDING OF THE PAST. IN 2025: - THERE WERE 50,847 ADMISSIONS, 12,155 SCHOOL CHILDREN, 42 RENTAL EVENTS, 59 BUS TUOUR GROUPS,AND 744 MEMBERS. - EXHIBITS INCUDED 3 NEW EXHIBITS IN CHANGING GALLERIES, 3 CARRY-OVER EXHIBITS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND 1 PERMANENT EXHIBIT. - EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING - 27 PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND LECTURES, 5 TEACHER EVENTS, 5 PERFORMANCES OF A PLAY, 3 MUSICAL EVENTS. 2,384 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN CABIN DAYS PROGRAMMING, PLUS 2,972 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN OUT TOUCH-A-TRUCK AND TRUNK-OR-TREAT FAMILY EVENTS, AND OUR 40 PODCAST EPISODES RECEIVED OVER 6,000 DOWNLOADS. - FACILITIES - OVER 25 FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: UPGRADES TO BUILDING MECHANICALS, LIFE SAFTEY, AND GROUNDS/GARDENS. - THE MUSEUM ACHIEVED REACCREDITATION FROM THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS AND WAS INDUCTED INTO THE SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY HALL OF FAME FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION. EXPENSES REPORTED IN THIS SCHEDULE DO NOT INCLUDE 361,167 OF THE VALUE OF DONATED FACILITIES INCLUDED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BUT NOT REPORTABLE UNDER TAX LAW. THE HISTORY MUSEUM PRESERVES OUR REGION'S HERITAGE AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR COLLECTIONS, EXHIBITS, AND PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP AN INFORMED UNDERSTANDING OF THE PAST. IN 2025: - THERE WERE 50,847 ADMISSIONS, 12,155 SCHOOL CHILDREN, 42 RENTAL EVENTS, 59 BUS TUOUR GROUPS,AND 744 MEMBERS. - EXHIBITS INCUDED 3 NEW EXHIBITS IN CHANGING GALLERIES, 3 CARRY-OVER EXHIBITS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND 1 PERMANENT EXHIBIT. - EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING - 27 PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND LECTURES, 5 TEACHER EVENTS, 5 PERFORMANCES OF A PLAY, 3 MUSICAL EVENTS. 2,384 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN CABIN DAYS PROGRAMMING, PLUS 2,972 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN OUT TOUCH-A-TRUCK AND TRUNK-OR-TREAT FAMILY EVENTS, AND OUR 40 PODCAST EPISODES RECEIVED OVER 6,000 DOWNLOADS. - FACILITIES - OVER 25 FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: UPGRADES TO BUILDING MECHANICALS, LIFE SAFTEY, AND GROUNDS/GARDENS. - THE MUSEUM ACHIEVED REACCREDITATION FROM THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS AND WAS INDUCTED INTO THE SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY HALL OF FAME FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION. EXPENSES REPORTED IN THIS SCHEDULE DO NOT INCLUDE 361,167 OF THE VALUE OF DONATED FACILITIES INCLUDED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BUT NOT REPORTABLE UNDER TAX LAW.

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 July 1967.

    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.