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Cook County Historical Society

EIN 41-6038622 · Grand Marais, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, AND DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY AND TO RELATE IT TO THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MONNESOTA. FOUNDED IN 1924, IT OPERATES FIVE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS PLUS A 1935 FISHING TUG. ALL ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC, SERVING BOTH RESIDENTS AND THE MANY VISITORS.

Income
$303,895
Spending
$320,544
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
51 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 40%
Employees
6
Volunteers
12

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

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 51.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% 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 October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 October 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 (3)
  1. WITH FUNDS OBTAINED THROUGH DONATIONS AND GRANTS THE ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE HISTORICAL SITES AND ARTIFACTS FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY IN ORDER TO SHARE THE RICH HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY MINNESOTA WITH THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR
  2. $287,392 spent. WITH FUNDS OBTAINED THROUGH DONATIONS AND GRANTS THE ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE HISTORICAL SITES AND ARTIFACTS FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY IN ORDER TO SHARE THE RICH HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY MINNESOTA WITH THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR
  3. WITH FUNDS OBTAINED THROUGH DONATIONS AND GRANTS THE ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE HISTORICAL SITES AND ARTIFACTS FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY IN ORDER TO SHARE THE RICH HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY MINNESOTA WITH THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 October 2025.

    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 March 1964.

    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.

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.