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Historical Society of the Township of Chatham

EIN 51-0139992 · Chatham, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS AN ALL-VOLUNTEER, NOT-FOR-PROFIT FOUNDED IN 1975. IT IS DEDICATED TO INCREASING KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PRESERVATION OF THE TOWN'S HISTORICAL HERITAGE. IT MAINTAINS THE RED BRICK SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM FOR COORDINATION OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH AND PRESERVATION ADVOCACY.

Income
$488,301
Spending
$463,147
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
36.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
35

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1218% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • 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 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 (5)
  1. $437,755 spent. PRESERVATION OF CHATHAM RED BRICK SCHOOLHOUSE IN CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY. -REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF DETERIORATED BRICK AND REPOINTING. -REBUILDING OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE VESTIBULE. -REPAIR OF ROOF CORNICE AND SOFFITS, NEW ROOF LEADERS. -REPAIR OF LINTELS AND SILLS. -EXTERIOR PAINTING. -NEW INTERIOR UV STORM WINDOWS. -MODIFICATIONS TO THE FIRST FLOOR SIDE DOOR TO IMPROVE ADA ACCESS. -BIDDING,NEGOTIATION, AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION.
  2. $2,560 spent. PUBLIC OUTREACH PROJECT: PURCHASE OF EXHIBIT MATERIALS FOR DISPLAYS IN MUSEUM AND PUBLIC AREAS SUCH AS MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND PUBLIC LIBRARY. PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FOR HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES IN MUSEUM ON OPEN DAYS. PURCHASE OF SMALL GIVEAWAYS AND REFRESHMENTS FOR OPEN DAYS. PURCHASE OF ITEMS FOR MUSEUM DISPLAYS. PRINTING OF EDUCATIONAL POSTERS FOR DISPLAY IN MUSEUM AND PUBLIC LIBRARY. ADVERTISING FOR OPEN DAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.
  3. $525 spent. SPEAKER SERIES: THE SOCIETY HOSTS 7-10 SPEAKERS PER YEAR WHO GIVE A HYBRID HISTORICAL PRESENTATION AT THE LIBRARY OF THE CHATHAMS. THE SOCIETY PAYS ANY SPEAKER FEES.
  4. $88 spent. ADDITIONAL TO MUSEUM INVENTORY: THE SOCIETY PURCHASED SEVERAL ITEMS TO ENHANCE PERMANENT AND ROTATING DISPLAYS, OR THAT BETTER HELP EXPLAIN HISTORY TO VISITING CHILDREN.
  5. ADDITIONAL TO MUSEUM INVENTORY: THE SOCIETY PURCHASED SEVERAL ITEMS TO ENHANCE PERMANENT AND ROTATING DISPLAYS, OR THAT BETTER HELP EXPLAIN HISTORY TO VISITING CHILDREN.

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 November 6, 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 1975.

    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 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.