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Baltimore Heritage Area Association Inc

EIN 45-2429915 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTING, PRESERVING, AND ENHANCING BALTIMORE'S HISTORIC AND CULTURAL LEGACY AND NATURAL RESOURCES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
10
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$121,339, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. PROMOTE HERITAGE, CULTURAL, AND RECREATIONAL TOURISM IN BALTIMORE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS FOR VISITORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING MANAGING AND ASSISTING WITH THREE GRANT PROGRAMS: SMALL CAP GRANT PROGRAM, THE MARYLAND HERTIAGE AREAS AUTHORITY PROJECT GRANT PROGRAM, AND THE HERITAGE INVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM. THE BNHA SMALL CAP GRANT PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH CITY GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND MONEY ($100,000) AND THE HERITAGE INVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM IS FUNDED USING FEDERAL DOLLARS. THE HERITAGE AREA ALSO COORDINATES THE SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE STATE (MHAA) THROUGH A LOCAL REVIEW AND RANKING PROCESS. THE PURPOSE OF ALL THREE GRANT PROGRAMS IS TO TARGET INVESTMENT IN THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF KEY HERITAGE TOURISM SITES WITHIN THE HERITAGE AREA'S BOUNDRY.
  2. $172,576 spent. PLANNED AND ORGANIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN IN BALTIMORE, INCLUDING KIDS IN KAYAKS AND EVERY KID IN A NATIONAL PARK.
  3. $20,409 spent. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND WALKING TOURS - PROVIDED GUIDED TOURS FOR HERITAGE WALK, MT. VERNON CULTURAL WALK, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND FELL'S POINT. THE WALKING TOURS EXPOSE NUMEROUS MUSEUMS (MANY SMALL AND CONSIDERED TO BE HIDDEN GEMS) TO THE PUBLIC.

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 July 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.