Cass County North Dakota Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To collect, display, and interpret artifacts relevant to the history and cultural heritage of Cass County and the Red River Valley.
- Income
- $781,731
- Spending
- $723,916
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 31%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $71,400, executive director
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
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 12 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.
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 (1)
- $571,214 spent. Bonanzaville, USA, is a cultural institution dedicated to educating, enlightening, and enriching the lives of our guests through the use of history by preserving, sharing, and connecting the past with the present. The Society maintains a historical site "Bonanzaville USA," along with 36 historical structures which have been relocated to the site or built onsite. Activities include the discovery, collection, and preservation of data, objects, or memorabilia of historical value and the dissemination of information concerning the history of Cass County North Dakota, and the state of North Dakota. Bonanzaville held several events during the year in the 12-acre village, including Pioneer Days, 4th of July celebration, and Christmas on the Prairie. In 2024, 30,000 (Continued on Schedule O)visitors toured our historic facilities, hailing from all 50 states in the U.S. and several foreign countries. Four thousand seven hundred school students and their educators participated in a school tour in 2024 as part of their local history curriculum. Visitors aged 16 to 65 account for 33% of participation, ages 6 to 16 for 33%, senior citizens for 17%, military status for 4%, and children under 5%. Bonanzaville is committed to providing the community with a safe and trusted space to learn, explore, relax, and enjoy now and into the future.
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 September 1968.
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.