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Kansas City Automotive Museum Inc

EIN 45-1433928 · Olathe, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to entertain and educate all generations through the preservation, promotion and display of Kansas City's rich automotive heritage. Our future vision is to expand our mission to include the entire Midwest.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
9.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$37,917, executive director 7.22.24-12.31.24

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 170% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $337,479 spent. Tours at The Underground by the Kansas City Automotive Museum, located in downtown Kansas City, this subterranean facility provides an eclectic collection of vehicles. The vehicles are curated like the vehicles at the Museum. The venue will host multiple community events as well as automotive related car shows. The Underground is the starting point to our history tour held throughout the year.
  2. $356,870 spent. The Kansas City Automotive Museum embraces the unique and diverse stories of Kansas City, while educating young and old, and celebrating the culture, artistry, industry and innovation of the automobile. Since opening, the Museum has become a recognized and popular establishment within the car community and has grown to be a meeting place for car enthusiasts, historians and visitors to Kansas City. Rotating 100+ cars and hosting community events.
  3. $43,422 spent. Through The Great Car Show local youth are able to participate in youth judging which allows us to fulfill our mission to educate, preserve and promote Kansas City's rich automotive history. 30+ youth participated in our youth judging programs. Boy Scouts- the Museum offers many opportunities for scouts. From derbies to Automotive Maintenance Badge workshops, we offer something for every interest level. Kansas City Automotive Museum expanded its outreach through two key community programs: the Kids Autocross and the Art Car initiative. The Kids Autocross provides more than 50 children with the unique opportunity to experience the thrill of driving in a safe and supportive environment. Many of these children might not otherwise have the chance to drive, yet on this day, they feel the wind in their hair and the excitement of being behind the wheel. This program not only introduces young people to automotive culture but also builds confidence and creates unforgettable memories. The 2024 Art Car, a collaborative project involving local students and artists, inspired creativity and celebrated the fusion of art and automotive history. The Art Car was showcased at community events, sparking conversations about innovation, design, and cultural expression.
  4. $24,393 spent. The Great Car Show is a benefit for the Kansas City Automotive Museum (KCAM). The Great Car Show is a family friendly community car show. The event is open to the public and will take registration for vehicles of all years, makes, and models. The anticipated number of vehicle registration is between 250 and 350 and will be representative of the Kansas City Metro and surrounding communities. The event is staged on the grounds south east of NWWIMM and includes two types of judging: youth judging and judging by community representatives. Youth judging was provided by Hagerty Car Insurance. A Hagerty representative guided a group of youth judges through the show field to pre-selected show cars and interacted with their owners. This allowed the children (ranging ages 8-14 years) to learn details, history, and fun facts about each vehicle. The youth judges then used a scorecard that highlighted five basic categories to rate the vehicles on a scale of one to five. 3500+ spectators and 35 volunteers.

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 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 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 October 2011.

    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.