Pony Express Historical Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Pony Express Historical Association is to interpret the early history and development of Saint Joseph, MO from the days of the Pony Express and Jesse James to the 1920's using authentic artifacts in the building where these events actually occurred.
- Income
- $230,835
- Spending
- $251,077
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -139.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 41%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 2
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
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 47 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
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, 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)
- $180,088 spent. The primary purpose of the Pony Express Historical Association is to operate Patee House Museum and the Jesse James Home as historically accurate, educational, and interesting museums where people of all ages can learn and have fun. 11,009 visitors toured Patee House and the Jesse James Home in 2024. Visitors came from 50 out of 50 states and 28 foreign countries. Patee House is a National Historic Landmark for its role as the Pony Express headquarters and its service as the Provost Marshal's office during the Civil War. Further more Patee House contains an 1860's steam locomotive, stagecoach, a working vintage carousel, and much more all inside the block-square, four-story brick building. The house where the infamous outlaw Jesse James was killed now stands on the grounds of Patee House. Inside there are exhibits explaining the life and death of Jesse, including artifacts from the grave, removed during the exhumation in 1995. The building is also on the National Register of Historic Places. CODE 900099
- $7,850 spent. Gutter repair. Blue Room dance floor replacement.
- As headquarters of the Pony Express, Patee House serves as either the start or finish of the annual re-ride put on each year by the National Pony Express Association (NPEA) in June. The Pony Express Historical Association works with members of the NPEA in eight states to plan and stage the relay ride, which uses approximately 550 people to carry commemorative letters 2,000 miles by horseback. Every year, Patee House Museum and the Jesse James Home are the subject of historical documentaries. Crews from around the world come to the museums to research and film at the historic locations and interview museum staff. CODE 900099
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
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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 June 1965.
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 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.