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War Veterans Memorial Shrine of American History Inc

EIN 35-1300823 · Arcola, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THREE OBJECTIVES DEFINE OUR MISSION STATEMENT DESIGNATED BY FOUNDERS ERIC AND CLEO SCOTT: TO PROVIDE A FOREVER MEMORIAL FOR ALL MILITARY VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES; TO PRESERVE ARTIFACTS OF THEIR SERVICE TO GIVE FUTURE GENERATIONS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE HISTORICAL PAST OF THE UNITED STATES; TO PROVIDE A NATIONAL SHRINE IN NORTHEASTERN INDIANA WHERE NO VETERAN WILL EVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Income
$280,892
Spending
$264,709
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
17.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
1
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$18,245, member

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 March 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. $256,909 spent. SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED DURING FY2025 INDIANA'S 40-8 MERCI BOX CAR WAS REDEDICATED IN JUNE 2024. THE BOXCAR WAS MEDIA BLASTED AND REPAINTED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2022. ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE AND DISPLAYS WERE CREATED AND ARE PROMINENTLY PLACED IN THE "BOX CAR ANNEX." THE SHIELDS AND RIBBONS WERE MOUNTED TO THE BOXCAR PRIOR TO THE REDEDICATION IN JUNE 2024. THE GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL WAS DEDICATED IN JUNE 2024. THIS MEMORIAL FEATURES WOODY WILLIAM'S TRADEMARK DESIGN ON ONE SIDE AND THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE MEMORIAL HAS IMAGES SPECIFIC TO INDIANA. THE WALK PATH OF WAR HISTORY WAS ALSO DEDICATED IN JUNE 2024. THIS WALK PATH (OVER 900 FEET OF SIX-FOOT SIDEWALKS) MEANDERS THROUGH OUR GROUNDS AND PROVIDES VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THEIR TIME WHILE THEY VIEW OUR VARIOUS MEMORIALS. ACCESS TO ALL OF THE CURRENT MEMORIALS IS EASIER FOR OLDER ADULTS AND VISITORS WITH MOBILITY ISSUES WITH THIS WALK PATH. IN OCTOBER 2024, WE DEDICATED THE MOTHER GEORGE MEMORIAL. MOTHER GEORGE WAS FROM FORT WAYNE. THIS LINK PROVIDES SOME INFORMATION REGARDING MOTHER GEORGE - HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/ELIZA_GEORGE. NICK TAYLOR'S MEMORIAL BENCH WAS DEDICATED IN NOVEMBER 2024. NICK MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING OUR NATION IN AFGHANISTAN ON JULY 16, 2012. THE GRAND OPENING OF THE STERLING CHAPEL WAS IN NOVEMBER 2024. THE STERLING CHAPEL IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR PROPERTY AND PROVIDES A SERENE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO REFLECT AS THEY VISIT. REPAIRS TO THE PAVILION TO MAKE THE BUILDING WEATHER TIGHT WERE COMPLETED IN FY25. WE HAVE A GUEST BOOK THAT VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN LOCATED INSIDE THE MUSEUM GALLERY. DATA FROM THE GUESTBOOK INDICATES THE FOLLOWING NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED VISITORS (CALENDAR YEARS 2019 - 930, 2020 - 800 (YEAR OF COVID), 2021 - 3,387, 2022 - 2,596, 2023 - 3,126, 2024 - 3,729). IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NOT ALL VISITORS SIGN THE GUEST BOOK. THE DATA ALSO DOES NOT CAPTURE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO WALK THE GROUNDS AND LOOK AT THE MEMORIALS DURING OFF-HOURS. THE GROUNDS ARE OPEN DAWN TO DUSK AND THE MUSEUM'S HOURS ARE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE HONORINGFOREVER.ORG AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. CURRENT MEMORIALS/MONUMENTS/MACRO ARTIFACTS LOCATED ON OUR 40-ACRE PROPERTY INCLUDE: AN 80% REPLICA OF THE VIETNAM WALL, THE ROCK OF THE MARNE DIVISION, 7TH ARMORED DIVISION, KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL, REVOLUTIONARY WAR, IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN, PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL, CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL, SULTANA MEMORIAL, MOTHER GEORGE MEMORIAL, CIVIL WAR CENOTAPH AREA, VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL, GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL, WATCHTOWER, INDIANA'S MERCI BOX CAR, TWO ARTILLERY PIECES, TWO NAVY ANCHORS, A M-247 SGT. YORK TANK, A WATER BUFFALO, AND SEVERAL BENCHES SPONSORED BY VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. THE W. PAUL WOLF WAR HISTORY MUSEUM, (6,000 SQ FT) HAS OVER 3,000 MILITARY ARTIFACTS IN INVENTORY. THE DISPLAYS RANGE FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR THROUGH CURRENT CONFLICTS WITH REPRESENTATION FROM ALL THE BRANCHES OF SERVICE. PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DONATE ARTIFACTS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS TO THE MUSEUM SO THAT THOSE PIECES OF HISTORY ARE NOT LOST. FUTURE PLANS: -MAY 2025 DEDICATION OF WWII MEMORIAL -MAY 2025 DEDICATION OF POW/MIA BENCH -JUNE 2025 DEDICATION OF FIRST PHASE OF COLUMBARIUM (SECOND AND THIRD PHASE ONSITE BY 2026 -AUGUST 2025 DEDICATION OF WWII ARMY RANGER MEMORIAL -AUGUST 2025 DEDICATION OF DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM MEMORIAL -AUGUST 2025 REDEDICATION OF PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL -SEPTEMBER 2025 DEDICATION OF GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, OEF/OIF MEMORIAL -NOVEMBER 2025 DEDICATION OF WWI MEMORIAL -COMING IN 2026 DEDICATION OF WOMEN'S MILITARY MEMORIAL WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING ADDITIONAL MEMORIALS AND BENCHES. LEGACY BRICKS (IN HONOR OF/IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE) ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. ANY FUTURE BRICKS SOLD WILL BE PLACED ON BRICK COLUMNS LOCATED STRATEGICALLY ALONG THE WALK PATH OF HISTORY. EDUCATION - WE CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT GROUPS (E.G., STUDENTS, VETERANS, SENIORS, SCOUTS, BIKE/CAR GROUPS, ETC.) TO TOUR THE MUSEUM AND GROUNDS. WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY OVERSIGHT FROM COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE OPERATE THROUGH DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES. WE ARE AN ALL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION EXCEPT FOR A PART-TIME CURATOR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 15, 2022. THIS SALARY WAS PAID THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE JAMES FOUNDATION FOR FY25. WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY OUR MONETARY DONORS, OUR IN-KIND DONORS AND OUR LABOR VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE PLAYED SUCH A VITAL ROLE IN CREATING AND MAINTAINING THESE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS, MEMORIALS AND BUILDINGS. SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED DURING FY2025 INDIANA'S 40-8 MERCI BOX CAR WAS REDEDICATED IN JUNE 2024. THE BOXCAR WAS MEDIA BLASTED AND REPAINTED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2022. ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE AND DISPLAYS WERE CREATED AND ARE PROMINENTLY PLACED IN THE "BOX CAR ANNEX." THE SHIELDS AND RIBBONS WERE MOUNTED TO THE BOXCAR PRIOR TO THE REDEDICATION IN JUNE 2024. THE GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL WAS DEDICATED IN JUNE 2024. THIS MEMORIAL FEATURES WOODY WILLIAM'S TRADEMARK DESIGN ON ONE SIDE AND THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE MEMORIAL HAS IMAGES SPECIFIC TO INDIANA. THE WALK PATH OF WAR HISTORY WAS ALSO DEDICATED IN JUNE 2024. THIS WALK PATH (OVER 900 FEET OF SIX-FOOT SIDEWALKS) MEANDERS THROUGH OUR GROUNDS AND PROVIDES VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THEIR TIME WHILE THEY VIEW OUR VARIOUS MEMORIALS. ACCESS TO ALL OF THE CURRENT MEMORIALS IS EASIER FOR OLDER ADULTS AND VISITORS WITH MOBILITY ISSUES WITH THIS WALK PATH. IN OCTOBER 2024, WE DEDICATED THE MOTHER GEORGE MEMORIAL. MOTHER GEORGE WAS FROM FORT WAYNE. THIS LINK PROVIDES SOME INFORMATION REGARDING MOTHER GEORGE - HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/ELIZA_GEORGE. NICK TAYLOR'S MEMORIAL BENCH WAS DEDICATED IN NOVEMBER 2024. NICK MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING OUR NATION IN AFGHANISTAN ON JULY 16, 2012. THE GRAND OPENING OF THE STERLING CHAPEL WAS IN NOVEMBER 2024. THE STERLING CHAPEL IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR PROPERTY AND PROVI

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on April 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on April 15, 2018.

    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 March 2026.

    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 November 2018.

    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.

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