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Mcleod County Historical Society

EIN 41-6037342 · Hutchinson, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We are dedicated to connecting with the past, understanding the present, and making informed choices about the future by finding, preserving, explaining and sharing McLeod County History.

Income
$377,665
Spending
$211,104
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
27.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
4
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$55,409, executive director

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.8 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 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 137% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $184,541 spent. The museum collects, catalogs, and preserves artifacts for exhibit and for future reference. Museum visitors amount to 3,900 to 4,300 annually. An exhibit hall and artifact storage areas are maintained in an environmentally protected setting with temperature and humidity controls. Visitors to the museum are provided with an education related to historical aspects of daily living and business operations related to McLeod County.
  2. $2,264 spent. Programs on historical topics an genealogical research are provided frequently. Attendance at these programs is about 1,500 to 1,800 annually. The museum also offers tours to school children, adult groups, and other organizations. Other programs provide attendees with information about the care and preservation of their personal items. Many programs focus on elements of McLeod County history. A specific theme is emphasized each year in programs, printed materials, and related exhibits.
  3. $2,206 spent. A comprehensive library and archives collection are maintained for use by researchers. Library contents included printed media, microfilms, photographs, and historical media. A dedicated group of volunteers organizes, catalogs, and indexes material to provide ease of access. Volunteers also provide research to interested parties across the USA. Microfilm readers and printers are available for users as are computer terminals for online research. Volunteers assist researchers on site when requested. Reproduction of photographs, documents, and other material provided by copiers, scanners, and communication medial equipment.
  4. The museum collects, catalogs, and preserves artifacts for exhibit and for future reference. Museum visitors amount to 3,900 to 4,300 annually. An exhibit hall and artifact storage areas are maintained in an environmentally protected setting with temperature and humidity controls. Visitors to the museum are provided with an education related to historical aspects of daily living and business operations related to McLeod County.

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 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 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 September 1958.

    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.