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Waterloo Area Historical Society

EIN 38-2083275 · Stockbridge, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% 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

TO EDUCATE ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE WAYS OF PIONEER FARM LIFE AND SCHOOLING THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.

Income
$140,259
Spending
$104,850
Spent on programs
45%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
60

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 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 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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, 2024, 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. $29,677 spent. PIONEER FARM AND ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOOLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSES TO THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM AND THE DEWEY SCHOOL MUSEUM. THE TRIP LASTS AN ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY. DURING THE TRIP THE STUDENTS GET THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HANDS ON ACTIVITIES ON A NINETEENTH CENTURY PIONEER FARM AND IN A ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE. THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CUTTING WOOD, FETCHING WATER, SHILLING CORN, DOING SCHOOL LESSONS, ETC. DURING THE YEAR THE PROGRAM SERVED CLOSE TO 1,660 CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THE DOCENTS FOR THE PROGRAM ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS. THE MONEY RAISED THROUGH THIS ACTIVITY IS USED TO MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE BOTH THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM AND THE DEWEY SCHOOL.
  2. $7,794 spent. PIONEER DAY THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON THE SECOND SUNDAY IN OCTOBER. THE GROUNDS OF THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM COME ALIVE WITH A GREAT VARIETY OF DEMONSTRATORS SHOWING HOW FAMILIES LIVED AND WORKED DURING THE 1800'S. THE BLACKSMITHS, WEAVERS, SHEEP SHEARERS AND OTHERS DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS. THE FARM HOUSE IS OPEN FOR TOURS. THERE ARE VENDORS PRESENT DISPLAYING AND SELLING THEIR HAND CRAFTED WARES. THE GIFT SHOP IS OPEN. THERE IS ALSO A FLOWER BARN WHERE A GREAT VARIETY OF DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE PURCHASED. THERE IS A FARM WAGON WHERE DONATED FARM CROPS AND BAKED GOODS MAY BE PURCHASED. WAGON RIDES AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT ARE USED TO HELP MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE THE FARM MUSEUM AND DEWEY SCHOOL. ATTENDENCE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 3,000. PIONEER DAY THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON THE SECOND SUNDAY IN OCTOBER. THE GROUNDS OF THE WATERLOO FARM MUSEUM COME ALIVE WITH A GREAT VARIETY OF DEMONSTRATORS SHOWING HOW FAMILIES LIVED AND WORKED DURING THE 1800'S. THE BLACKSMITHS, WEAVERS, SHEEP SHEARERS AND OTHERS DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS. THE FARM HOUSE IS OPEN FOR TOURS. THERE ARE VENDORS PRESENT DISPLAYING AND SELLING THEIR HAND CRAFTED WARES. THE GIFT SHOP IS OPEN. THERE IS ALSO A FLOWER BARN WHERE A GREAT VARIETY OF DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE PURCHASED. THERE IS A FARM WAGON WHERE DONATED FARM CROPS AND BAKED GOODS MAY BE PURCHASED. WAGON RIDES AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT ARE USED TO HELP MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE THE FARM MUSEUM AND DEWEY SCHOOL. ATTENDENCE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 3,000.
  3. $9,156 spent. CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON THE FIRST WEEKEND IN DECEMBER. THE FARM HOUSE AND GROUNDS ARE DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS IN THE VICTORIAN STYLE. THERE ARE RE- ENACTORS PRESENT TO GIVE THE FARM A LIVED-IN FEEL. BAKED GOODS AND HANDMADE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THOSE ATTENDING. THE SCHOOL IS ALSO OPEN AND DECORATED. THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT ARE USED TO MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE FARM AND SCHOOL MUSEUMS. ATTENDENCE VARIES BETWEEN 500 AND 1,000.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 2024.

    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 2014.

    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 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.