National World War I Museum and Memorial
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL (MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL) IS AMERICA'S LEADING INSTITUTION DEDICATED TO REMEMBERING, INTERPRETING AND UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT WAR AND ITS ENDURING IMPACT ON THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL FULFILLS THIS MISSION BY:- ESTABLISHING THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL AS THE FOREMOST INTERPRETER AND RESOURCE FOR INSIGHT INTO THE GREAT WAR AND ITS ENDURING IMPACT- PROVIDING FIRST-CLASS VISITOR AND VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE, AND DELIVERING INCREASINGLY ENGAGING AND ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES; DEVELOPING AND ENRICHING PHILANTHROPIC RELATIONSHIPS AND PROGRAMS NECESSARY TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY- ESTABLISHING THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL AS A 'MUST-SEE' DESTINATION, AND SOURCE OF CIVIC PRIDE- ENGAGING AND INSPIRING KEY CONSTITUENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXCELLENCE OF THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL.
- Income
- $24.4 million
- Spending
- $12.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 50%
- Employees
- 61
- Volunteers
- 507
- Highest pay
- $478,538, 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $7.3 million spent. MUSEUM & MEMORIAL OPERATIONS (SEE SCHEDULE O): MUSEUM & MEMORIAL OPERATIONS: SHORTLY AFTER WORLD WAR I ENDED, A GROUP OF KANSAS CITY LEADERS FORMED A GROUP TO CREATE A LASTING MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO SERVED. IN 1919, A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN RESULTED IN 83,000 RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTING $2.5 MILLION IN 10 DAYS (MORE THAN $45 MILLION IN CURRENT DOLLARS). IN 1921, A SITE DEDICATION HOSTED MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE FIVE MAJOR ALLIED COMMANDERS THE FIRST TIME THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. FOLLOWING YEARS OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION, THE MEMORIAL OPENED IN 1926 TO A CROWD OF MORE THAN 150,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING U.S. PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE. AT THE TIME, IT WAS THE LARGEST AUDIENCE A U.S. PRESIDENT HAD EVER ADDRESSED AT ONE TIME. AFTER DECADES OF UNADDRESSED DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, THE MEMORIAL TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN 1994. ONCE AGAIN, KANSAS CITY AREA RESIDENTS ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE AT THIS CRITICAL JUNCTURE AND RAISED $102 MILLION FOR RENOVATIONS AND A MAJOR EXPANSION TO BUILD A WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM BELOW THE MEMORIAL COURTYARD. AFTER ACHIEVING NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS AND DESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS AS AMERICA'S OFFICIAL WWI MUSEUM, THE EXPANDED MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN DECEMBER 2006. CONGRESS ADDED A SECOND DESIGNATION IN 2014, EFFECTIVELY RENAMING THE ORGANIZATION THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL. IN SPRING 2022, A MULTI-YEAR INITIATIVE TO CREATE A RICHER AND MORE IMMERSIVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE KICKED OFF. THE PROJECT WILL REFRESH AND EXPAND THE GALLERIES THROUGH NEW STORIES, TECHNOLOGY AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, AS WELL AS INCREASE ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL'S COLLECTION. THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT, COMPLETED IN 2023, INCLUDED THE NEW LOWER LEVEL AND OPEN STORAGE CENTER A COASTLINE OF GLASS SHELVING THAT ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO VIEW 1,500 ADDITIONAL OBJECTS. UPGRADES TO THE MAIN GALLERY KICKED OFF IN FALL 2023 WITH NEW PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE FILMS, A NEW TRENCH EXPERIENCE, NINE NEW INTERACTIVE TABLES AND SCREENS AND MORE.IN 2024, MAJOR RENOVATIONS TOOK PLACE IN THE WEST HALF OF THE MAIN GALLEY, INCLUDING A REDESIGN OF THE TANK EXHIBIT, A NEW FILM AND EQUIPMENT IN THE CRATER, AND A REIMAGINED HOSPITAL THAT TURNED THE SPACE INTO A REPLICA OF WWI FORWARD AID STATION INSIDE A BOMBED-OUT CHURCH. THE TANK AND HOSPITAL EXHIBITS ALSO INTRODUCED ADDITIONAL INTERACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GUESTS.GALLERY RENOVATIONS TO BETTER TELL THE STORY OF THE GREAT WAR WILL CONTINUE INTO 2025. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND GLOBE HAVE VISITED TO SEE THE WORLD'S MOST DIVERSE AND COMPREHENSIVE WORLD WAR I COLLECTION. AN INSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE, THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL IS KANSAS CITY'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AS OF DEC. 31, 2024, THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL EMPLOYS 44 FULL-TIME AND 7 PART-TIME STAFF. ADDITIONALLY, IN 2024 293 DAILY OPERATIONS VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED OVER 52,448 HOURS OF SERVICE. VOLUNTEERS GREET GUESTS, PROVIDE EXPERT TOURS, PROVIDE GUIDANCE, SUPPORT SPECIAL PROJECTS, ASSIST WITH PROMOTION, ANSWER QUESTIONS, PROVIDE SPECIALIZED SUPPORT TO CERTAIN INITIATIVES AND HELP LEND A WARM, HUMAN DIMENSION TO MULTIFACETED STORIES OF WAR AND WORLD HISTORY. THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL RECEIVES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FUNDERS. DONORS INCLUDE A WIDE ARRAY OF INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS WHOSE PHILANTHROPY HAS HELPED TO BUILD ENHANCED PROGRAMMING AND FUND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL. ADMISSIONS, FACILITY RENTALS, THE MUSEUM STORE, THE CAFE AND OTHER INITIATIVES ARE ALSO SUCCESSFUL REVENUE GENERATING SOURCES, BRINGING IN 24% OF THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL'S INCOME IN 2024. THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL IS PROUD TO BE RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP MUSEUMS IN THE U.S. AND THE "NUMBER ONE ATTRACTION IN KANSAS CITY" BY TRIPADVISOR REVIEWERS.IN 2024, THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL HOSTED OVER 1,000,000 GUESTS, INCLUDING THE 47 ACRES SURROUNDING THE MUSEUM. THIS INCLUDED APPROXIMATELY 192,000 TICKETED GUESTS. IN 2024 THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL HOSTED, AMONG OTHER EVENTS, KANSAS CITY'S 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL, THE STARS AND STRIPES PICNIC. IN 2024 THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL WAS NAMED AS HOST SITE OF KANSAS CITY FIFA FAN FEST FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP.
- $1.5 million spent. EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT (SEE SCHEDULE O): EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT :THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL IS THE NATION'S ONLY MUSEUM SOLELY DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND EXAMINING THE PERSONAL NARRATIVES OF THE GREAT WAR. THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL HOLDS THE WORLD'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF WORLD WAR I (1914-1919) OBJECTS, ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS, FROM BELLIGERENT NATIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE CONFLICT. IT IS THE SECOND OLDEST WWI COLLECTING INSTITUTION IN THE WORLD. AND PRESENTS A COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL INTERPRETATION OF WORLD WAR I AND ITS ENDURING IMPACT.THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL'S COLLECTION INCLUDES MORE THAN 380,000 WORLD WAR I HISTORICAL OBJECTS AND ARTIFACTS. IN 2024, THE MUSEUM ACCEPTED 205 NEW ACCESSIONS INTO THE PERMANENT COLLECTION, EACH OF WHICH CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE OBJECT, WITH SOME CONTAINING HUNDREDS OF OBJECTS. COLLECTION PRIORITIES RESPOND TO IMMEDIATE RESEARCH AND EXHIBITION NEEDS, AS WELL AS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE. THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE STORIES OF MINORITIES, WOMEN AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO SERVED IN WWI ARE COLLECTED AND TOLD THROUGH A DEDICATED COLLECTING INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN 2020. IN ADDITION TO ITS PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS, THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL FEATURES SEVERAL SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS EVERY YEAR, AND PARTNERS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS WITH EXHIBITION LOANS. 2024 EXHIBITIONS FEATURED: SACRED SERVICE, THE LITTLE WAR AND WAR TOYS: UKRAINE. VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCES CALLED WAR REMAINS AND CHOCTAW CODE TALKERS 1918 CONTINUED TO BE OFFERED AS WELL.IN SUMMER 2023, THE FIRST OF MANY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS BEGAN, KICKING OFF A MULTI-YEAR INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE BOTH INDOORS AND OUT OF DOORS. CAMPUS-WIDE RESTORATION, RENOVATION, MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS WILL CONTINUE INTO 2026.
- $1.1 million spent. GLOBAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES (SEE SCHEDULE O):GLOBAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES : FOR THE PAST DECADE, THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL HAS INITIATED A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES TO SHARE ITS RICH COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE THROUGH DIGITAL LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES. THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE IN EARLY 2022 TO UPDATE THE DATED DESIGN AND IMPROVE THE USER EXPERIENCE. THE PLATFORM INTEGRATES VIDEO CONTENT, OFFERS TRANSLATION INTO A VARIETY OF LANGUAGES AND STREAMLINES CONTENT TO MAKE IT MORE AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. FOR ON-DEMAND LEARNERS, THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL USES A VARIETY OF TOOLS AND PARTNERS TO REACH A DIGITAL AUDIENCE INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA, YOUTUBE, ITS ONLINE COLLECTIONS DATABASE, EDUCATOR RESOURCES, 22 ONLINE EXHIBITIONS AND MORE. THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL CONTINUES TO EXPAND CONTENT AND DIVERSIFY PLATFORMS, INCLUDING A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOGLE ARTS AND CULTURE TO MEET THE ONGOING NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF CORE AUDIENCES. THROUGH YOUTUBE AND OTHER PLATFORMS, GLOBAL AUDIENCES FROM 140 NATIONS ENGAGED WITH MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL CONTENT ONLINE DURING 2024.THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL OFFERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS OPEN TO ALL AGES TO EDUCATE ABOUT THE ENDURING IMPACT OF WWI ON THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. ITS PROGRAMS EXPLORE THE LEGACIES OF WWI IN DYNAMIC AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING WAYS AND INCLUDE A RANGE OF TOPICS LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY, RELIGION IN WWI, BLACK SERVICE IN WWI, WAR & MORALITY, AND SUPPORT OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. MANY PROGRAMS ARE PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE REGION AND NATION'S MOST VIBRANT AND RESPECTED CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS.COMMUNITY EVENTS ON THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL GROUNDS, LIKE THE STARS AND STRIPES PICNIC OR THE COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES FOR MEMORIAL AND VETERANS DAYS, HIGHLIGHT THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL'S UNIQUE PLACE AS "KANSAS CITY'S FRONT PORCH". IMAGES, LIVESTREAMING, AND OTHER TOOLS ARE UTILIZED TO ENGAGE WITH GLOBAL AUDIENCES, INCLUDING IN CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY EVENTS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1920.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.