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Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum

EIN 38-2144402 · Portage, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IGNITE CURIOSITY, CELEBRATE INNOVATION, AND CONNECT HISOTRY AND SCIENCE THROUGH PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE DREAMS OF FLIGHT.

Income
$8.2 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
14.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
152
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$243,733, president/ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $5.9 million spent. THE AIR ZOO IS A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED, SMITHSONIAN-AFFILIATED, AEROSPACE AND SCIENCE MUSEUM BOASTING A RENOWNED COLLECTION OF OVER 100 RARE AND HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT AIRCRAFT, AND MORE THAN 100,000 UNIQUE ARTIFACTS, DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITS SHOWCASING HISTORY, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY. THE AIR ZOO STANDS APART FROM SIMILAR MUSEUMS AND LEARNING CENTERS OF ITS KIND, WITH A KEEN FOCUS ON HANDS-ON LEARNING AND ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. OUR FACILITIES INCLUDE MULTIPLE CLASSROOMS FOR INTERACTIVE LESSONS, AN UPDATED THEATER, STATE OF THE ART FLIGHT SIMULATORS, AND AN EXCITING INDOOR AMUSEMENT PARK. THE MUSEUM'S GROWING COLLECTION OF PERMANENT EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT THE DIVERSE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MEN AND WOMEN OF AEROSPACE HISTORY. THE AIR ZOO IS ALSO A NATIONAL LEADER IN LONG-TERM LOST OR DAMAGED HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT RESTORATION. THROUGH OUR ACTIVE AND INNOVATIVE RESTORATION PROCESS, OUR GUESTS ARE ABLE TO WITNESS AND EVEN PARTICIPATE IN THE REBUILDING OF PLANES LONG DESTROYED OR LOST. WITH OUR STRONG FOCUS ON EDUCATION, THE AIR ZOO IS A UNIQUE RESOURCE FOR ORGANIZATIONS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH A FOCUSED EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE AIR ZOO PROVIDES COUNTLESS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND CAMPS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 June 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.