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Thomas County Historical Society

EIN 48-6117363 · Colby, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVE AS A CULTURAL CENTER BY PROVIDING OPPORUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO LEARN ABOUT BOTH AREA HISTORY AND THE WORLD OF ART THROUGH ITS COLLECTIONS

Income
$353,229
Spending
$460,625
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
29.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 40%
Employees
13
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$54,376, asst exec dir

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

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 61 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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. $460,625 spent. PRAIRIE MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY - PROVIDE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COLLECTIONS, BUILDING AND GROUNDS, SERVING AS A CULTURAL CENTER TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE APPOX 5503 VISITORS IN 2025 NOT INCLUDING THE HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WHO TOURED THE MUSEUM AS GUESTS OF A FACILITY ACTIVITY.
  2. PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH INCLUDING NEXT GENERATION STUDENT INTERNS, COLBY GRADE SCHOOL, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM CAMP, NW KANSAS HOME SCHOOL ASSN. HOSTED COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL, GRADE SCHOOL GROUPS. PARTNER WITH EDUCATION ENTITIES TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
  3. PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH INCLUDING NEXT GENERATIONS STUDENT INTERNS, COLBY GRADE SCHOOL, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM CAMP, NW KANSAS HOME SCHOOL ASSN. HOSTED COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL, GRADE SCHOOL GROUPS, PARTNER WITH EDUCATION ENTITIES TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1961.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.