Passes our checks

Bristol Bay Historical Society Inc

EIN 51-0174974 · Naknek, AK

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

What it says it does

To collect, preserve, research, and share educational experiences of the Indigenous cultural lifeways and maritime heritage of Bristol Bay.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 13% 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

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
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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$211,313 spent. Bristol Bay Historical Society, Inc, accomplishes it's goals by hosting events and exhibitions that showcase the diversity of Bristol Bay's people, traditions, natural resources, and industries while offering immersive experiences that connect visitors and industry participants with the cultural and natural richness of the Bristol Bay watershed. In 2024, the Society offered free admission to 2,200 visotrs that experienced events and exhibitions.The society also engages in collecting, preserving, and archiving the artifacts, photographs, documents, and oral histories that chronicle local maritime heritage and indigenous cultural lifeways of Bristol Bay.Finally the society serves the community by ensuring that historic icons like the A.R. Davey General Merchandise building, Libby 76, and Alaska Packers Association Diamond O Warehouse are documented and formally recognized to ensure that the community, traditions, resources, and industries of Bristol Bay are preserved for future generations.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2020.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.