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Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana Inc

EIN 35-1162873 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INDIANA LANDMARKS ADVANCES THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT SITES AND STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT INDIANA. THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF REGIONAL OFFICES THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, AND WORKS TO PRESERVE HISTORIC PLACES, REVITALIZE HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS, AND ENRICH THE HERITAGE OF INDIANA.

Income
$11.7 million
Spending
$11.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
27.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 62%
Employees
55
Volunteers
165
Highest pay
$274,018, president (end 04/2025)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    36 of 37 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 August 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 (4)
  1. $7.3 million spent. INDIANA LANDMARKS' PRIMARY MISSION IS THE EDUCATION AND ADVOCATION OF PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC SITES IN THE STATE OF INDIANA. THIS IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH REGIONAL OFFICES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THROUGH OUR BLACK HERITAGE PRESERVATION PROGRAM AND OUR SACRED PLACES INDIANA PROGRAM. THESE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON NURTURING LOCAL PRESERVATION INITIATIVES. INDIANA LANDMARKS' STAFF PROVIDE EXPERTISE IN RESTORATION TECHNIQUES, REAL ESTATE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, FUNDRAISING AND ZONING. THE ORGANIZATION ENDEAVORS TO PROMOTE A PRESERVATION ETHIC BY PARTNERING WITH AND ENGAGING CITIZENS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, EMPOWERING THEM TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THEIR HERITAGE AND THE FUTURE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 1,350) INDIANA LANDMARKS PRODUCES SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS WHICH ARE GENERATED SIX TIMES A YEAR. THESE PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER TOOLS SUCH AS THE WEBSITE, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF INDIANA LANDMARKS AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  2. $1.3 million spent. INDIANA LANDMARKS OWNS SEVEN HISTORIC PROPERTIES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF INDIANA. THE 1865 MORRIS BUTLER HOUSE IN INDIANAPOLIS HIGHLIGHTS ARCHITECTURE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. VERAESTAU IN AURORA, INDIANA, IS A HISTORIC HOME SET HIGH ABOVE THE OHIO RIVER. PORTIONS OF THIS BUILDING DATE TO 1837. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROPERTIES, INDIANA LANDMARKS OWNS AND MAINTAINS FIVE OTHER HISTORIC BUILDINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN RESTORED AND FUNCTION AS OFFICE FOR THE ORGANIZATION. ALL THESE PROPERTIES SERVE TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC REGARDING INDIANA'S HISTORY AND THE DESIRABILITY OF RESTORING AND PRESERVING HISTORIC PROPERTIES.
  3. $755,684 spent. INDIANA LANDMARKS PROVIDES A YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, TOURS, LECTURES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE INDIANA LANDMARKS CENTER IN INDIANAPOLIS, LOCATED IN A HISTORIC FORMER CHURCH, PROVIDES A UNIQUE SPACE FOR VARIOUS FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING SPECIAL EVENTS, LECTURES, FILMS, THEATER PRODUCTIONS, DIY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. IN ORANGE COUNTRY, INDIANA, INDIANA LANDMARKS PROVIDES TOURS OF THE HISTORIC WEST BADEN SPRINGS HOTEL AND THE FRENCH LICK SPRING HOTEL. THE TOURS OF THE HOTELS AND THE SURROUNDING GARDENS HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE, THE HOTELSIGINS, AND THEIR DECLINE AND REBIRTH THROUGH AWARD-WINNING RESTORATION. TWO GIFT SHOPS WITHIN THE HOTEL PROPERTIES CARRY MERCHANDISE INSPIRED BY THE PAST, INCLUDING BOOKS AND MATERIALS PERTAINING TO THE HISTORY OF INDIANA, ARCHITECTURES, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 1,350) INDIANA LANDMARKS PRODUCES SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS WHICH ARE GENERATED SIX TIMES A YEAR. THESE PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER TOOLS SUCH AS THE WEBSITE, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF INDIANA LANDMARKS AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  4. INDIANA LANDMARKS PRODUCES SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS WHICH ARE GENERATED SIX TIMES A YEAR. THESE PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER TOOLS SUCH AS THE WEBSITE, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF INDIANA LANDMARKS AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 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 October 1977.

    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.