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Historic Arnolds Park Inc

EIN 42-1231504 · Arnolds Park, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE & PRESERVE FAMILY FUN IN THE IOWA GREAT LAKES AREA through the operation of its historical amusement park, excursion boat, and maritime museum.

Income
$11.1 million
Spending
$12.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
292
Highest pay
$167,814, 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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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 (3)
  1. $8.9 million spent. TO OPERATE AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK AMUSEMENT RIDES, ATTRACTIONS, SHOPS, AND LAKE SIDE PROPERTIES IN THE IOWA GREAT LAKES AREA FOR THE PUBLIC'S USE AND ENJOYMENT INCLUDING SPONSORING EVENTS, CONCERTS AND ATTRACTIONS THAT ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  2. $758,232 spent. TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE MARITIME ARTIFACTS AND COLLECTIBLES GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE IOWA GREAT LAKES AREA AND TO DISPLAY THE BOATING AND MARITIME ARTIFACTS IN OUR MARITIME MUSEUM THAT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO VIEW ON A YEAR ROUND BASIS. AN OFFICIAL IOWA WELCOME CENTER IS OPERATED WITHIN THE MUSEUM FACILITY and had over 41,000 visitors during the year.
  3. $78,255 spent. TO OPERATE AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC QUEEN II EXCURSION BOAT IN THE IOWA GREAT LAKES AREA FOR THE PUBLIC'S USE AND ENJOYMENT

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 August 1984.

    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.