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World War II Theatre Inc

EIN 42-1743078 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THIS CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED, AND IT SHALL BE OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR, CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM, INC. INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE ON OR ADJACENT TO THE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) CAMPUS OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM A THEATRE, HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER, AND/OR A U.S.O. THEMED CANTEEN AND RESTAURANT.

Income
$22.6 million
Spending
$22.0 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
-21.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
16
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$903,649, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 13% 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

    2 of 20

    It owes 76% 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 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $21.4 million spent. SINCE ITS OPENING IN OCTOBER 2019, THE HIGGINS HAS SUPPORTED THE MUSEUM'S NONPROFIT MISSION IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT WAYS AND REMAINS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF ITS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH. SPECIFICALLY, THE HIGGINS PROVIDES SPACE TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM'S EXPANDING SLATE OF VISITOR ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS; SERVES THE MUSEUM'S NATIONAL VISITORS - 87% WHO COME FROM OUT OF STATE - WITH ON CAMPUS LODGING TO FIT THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS AND SCHEDULES; ENSURES AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES FOR MUSEUM DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, AND CONNECTED INDIVIDUALS YEAR-ROUND; CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND THE MUSEUM'S EXHIBITS AND SHARE ITS COLLECTION; AND RAISES ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM'S MISSION. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) SOME NOTABLE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES HOSTED AT THE HIGGINS HOTEL DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:ROSIE THE RIVETERS' SOARING VALORIN MARCH 2025, IN CELEBRATION OF THE ANNUAL ROSIE THE RIVETER DAY, THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION BROUGHT 18 ROSIE THE RIVETERS ON A SOARING VALOR TRIP TO THE HIGGINS HOTEL AND THE MUSEUM. THE GROUP WAS ACCOMPANIED BY LOCAL STUDENTS FROM THE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART, WHO HAD THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FIRSTHAND FROM THESE INSPIRING WOMEN. TOGETHER, THEY ENJOYED MEALS AND EVENTS IN THE NEWLY REOPENED ROSIE'S ON THE ROOF AT THE HIGGINS HOTEL. THE RIVETERS WERE HONORED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS DURING WORLD WAR II, AND THE SETTING PROVIDED A PERFECT BLEND OF HISTORICAL HOMAGE AND MODERN COMFORT.EXPERIENCE THE VICTORY INBOUND TOURSTHE HIGGINS HOTEL HOSTED FIVE CUSTOM-CURATED TOURS TO NEW ORLEANS INCLUDING FOUR NIGHTS AT THE HIGGINS HOTEL, MEALS THROUGHOUT, PRIVATE DINNERS AND RECEPTIONS, EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM, AND CONVERSATIONS WITH HISTORIANS AND CURATORS. HISTORIAN HAPPY HOURS ARE NOW SCHEDULED TO COINCIDE WITH ALL EXPERIENCE THE VICTORY TOURS, PROVIDING TOUR GUESTS AND ANY OTHER PATRONS WITH ENRICHING CONVERSATIONS AND HISTORICAL INSIGHTS IN A RELAXED SETTING.SUPER BOWL LIXIN FEBRUARY2025, SUPER BOWL LIX ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO NEW ORLEANS, LEADING TO A SOLD-OUT HIGGINS HOTEL. PARTS OF THE HOTEL WERE TRANSFORMED INTO EXCLUSIVE SPACES FOR CLIENTS YET RETAINED ITS DISTINCTIVE WORLD WAR II THEME. AMONG THE ESTEEMED CLIENTS WERE NOTABLE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE ESPN, LOUISIANA STATE POLICE, LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENTERGY, AND LOWE'S, THE LATTER RECOGNIZED FOR ITS LEADERSHIP IN HIRING VETERANS. THE HIGGINS HOTEL'S UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE PROVIDED AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE, SEAMLESSLY BLENDING HISTORICAL NARRATIVES WITH MODERN CONVENIENCE, THUS ENHANCING THE OVERALL ENGAGEMENT OF THE SUPER BOWL ATTENDEES. MANY OF THESE GROUPS ALSO INCLUDED MUSEUM TICKETS AND PRIVATE EVENTS AT THE MUSEUM AND THE HOTEL. THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, THE VICTORY BELLES MADE SPECIAL APPEARANCES AT VARIOUS EVENTS AT THE HIGGINS, DELIGHTING GUESTS WITHTHEIR PERFORMANCES AND ADDING TO THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE.OTHER NOTABLE GROUPS:IN ADDITION TO HOSTING SUPER BOWL AND MARDI GRAS FESTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY, THE HIGGINS HOTEL WAS DELIGHTED TO WELCOME 7 WWII VETERANS, ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WHO TRAVELED WITH THE FOREVER YOUNG VETERANS ORGANIZATION FOR A SPECIAL CURATED VISIT TO THE MUSEUM. LATER IN THE MONTH, THE LEADING NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING AND BANDING ORGANIZATION, MOORE, HOSTED THEIR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AT HIGGINS AND THE MUSEUM. OTHER NOTABLE GROUPS THAT STAYED AT THE HIGGINS HOTEL AND ALSO ENJOYED TIME AT THE MUSEUM INCLUDE THE NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE ANNUAL COAST GUARD FOUNDATION GALA. IN ADDITION, THE MARINE FORCES RESERVE, LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD, AND THE US NAVY HOSTED WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING AT HIGGINS. MEMBERS OF TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION ALSO STAYED AT THE HIGGINS. THE HOTEL ALSO HOSTED THE 1977 USNA "7TH COMPANY SEADOGS" REUNION.THE 18TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WORLD WAR THE JENNY CRAIG INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR & DEMOCRACY EXECUTED THE 18TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WORLD WAR II IN THE MADLYN AND PAUL HILLIARD CONFERENCE CENTER AT THE HIGGINS HOTEL ON NOVEMBER 21-23, 2025. THE SOLD-OUT CONFERENCE INCLUDED ACADEMICS, HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS AND VETERANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WITH 352 IN PERSON ATTENDEES, 36,168 LIVE VIRTUAL VIEWS AND 194,660 ON DEMAND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.THE EVENT FEATURED TOP SCHOLARS, AUTHORS AND HISTORIANS AND VETERANS DISCUSSING PIVOTAL WWII TOPICS THROUGH EXPERT PANELS, Q&A SESSIONS, BOOK SIGNINGS AND RECEPTIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 April 2009.

    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.