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Society for Restoration & Preservation of Historic Masonic

EIN 45-3811183 · Bay City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC MASONIC TEMPLE OF BAY CITY. TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS TO USE THE BUILDING FOR ART PERFORMANCE AND ARTS EDUCATION. TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO THE CULTURAL AND HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HISTORIC MASONIC TEMPLE.

Income
$189,897
Spending
$161,878
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
2
Volunteers
150

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 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 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $65,399 spent. THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE EDUCATION: PRESENTATION OF LIVE THEATER AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES USING THE UNIQUE SPACES IN THE BUILDING INCLUDING THE RED AND BLUE STAGES. EDUCATON OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS IN THEATRICAL ARTS AND PERFORMANCE. THIS PROGRAM AREA INCLUDES LIVE PLAYS AND CABARET PERFORMANCES BY VANISHING ELEPHANT PLAYERS, A NEW BLACK BOX THEATRE TROUPE; FACE THE FX EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TEACHING STAGE MAKEUP; DISCOVER MAGIC SUMMER DAY CAMP, A TWO WEEK DAY CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH TEACHING THE ART OF MAGIC PERFORMANCE; AND THE USE OF OUR BUILDING AS REHEARSAL SPACE BY OTHER THEATER GROUPS INCLUDING BAY CITY PLAYERS AND PASSION THEATRE.
  2. $2,665 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: MIDNIGHT MONSTER MOVIES - MONTHLY EXHIBITION OF CLASSIC AND ARTISTICALLY RELEVANT FEATURES FROM THE MONSTER AND HORROR MOVIE GENRE FROM THE SILENT ERA TO THE PRESENT. PRESENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL LECTURES AND PATRON DISCUSSION OF THE FILMS FROM THIS GENRE TO INCREASE PUBLIC APPRECIATION FOR THE ART OF THIS GENRE OF MOTION PICTURES.

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 May 2012.

    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.