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The Board of Regents of Gunston Hall Incorporated

EIN 52-1284368 · Mason Neck, VA

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

TO STIMULATE THE EXPLORATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF PRINCIPLES EXPRESSED BY GEORGE MASON IN THE 1776 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
19
Volunteers
180
Highest pay
$201,185, 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

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

    39 of 39 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 (4)
  1. $586,553 spent. RESTORATION - PROVIDING FOR THE PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND CARE OF THE 554-ACRE HISTORIC SITE INCLUDING THE 1755 MANSION AND 12 ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS. WORK INCLUDES PROJECTS OF VARIOUS SIZES AND SCOPES INCLUDING MECHANICAL REPAIRS, PAINTING, AND PLANNING FOR THE LONG-TERM PRESERVATION OF THE PROPERTY AND ITS ASSETS.
  2. $432,814 spent. EDUCATION - PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL TOURS AND PROGRAMS TO THE VISITING PUBLIC, INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN; RESEARCHING AND DESIGNING EXHIBITS, SIGNAGE, TOUR AND BROCHURE CONTENT AND ASSISTING WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING.
  3. $335,172 spent. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES - OPERATING AN ON-SITE GIFT SHOP AND OFFERING PRIVATE VENUE RENTALS. THE GIFT SHOP PROVIDES VISITORS WITH ACCESS TO HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL MERCHANDISE. IN ADDITION, GUNSTON HALL OFFERS EVENT SPACE RENTALS FOR WEDDINGS, SCOUT GATHERINGS, AND OTHER CELEBRATORY OCCASIONS, GENERATING REVENUE TO SUPPORT THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF GUNSTON HALL'S BROADER EDUCATIONAL AND PRESERVATION EFFORTS.
  4. $106,731 spent. COLLECTIONS AND RESEARCH - GUNSTON HALL CONTINUES GEORGE MASON'S LEGACY OF CONTINUING EDUCATION BY INVESTING IN A WORLD-CLASS, ON SITE REFERENCE LIBRARY, RARE BOOK COLLECTION, AND THE LARGEST ASSEMBLY OF MASON-FAMILY RELATED ARCHIVES IN THE UNITED STATES.

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 June 1983.

    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.