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The National Capital Radio and Television Museum

EIN 52-1862222 · Bowie, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The NCRTV Museum collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts, programming, and publications to educate the public about the development and impact of electronic media.

Income
$204,073
Spending
$130,803
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
45.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
3
Volunteers
25

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. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $100,075 spent. The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, MD has a broad range of programs appealing to the entire community. The museum is open to the public. K3RTV/Amateur Radio Station: The museum maintains an amateur Radio station that is licensed by the FCC with the call sign of K3RTV. The museum can provide school and scout group programs and participate in the annual BSA Jamboree on the Air in the fall. Lectures: The museum in partnership with the local libraries, colleges and senior centers offers lectures on the cultural history of broadcasting. Radio Repair Services: For the cost of parts and labor, the museum offers repair service for collector and enthusiasts wishing to restore their antique radio to operating condition. Full restoration of actual operation is offered while some volunteers will donate additional refurbishment services for exterior finishes, wood restoration, etc. Tours: The museum offers guided tours of the exhibits to the general public during open hours and to groups by appointment. Docent led tours address radio and television technology, the chronology of its development and advancement, the cultural history of broadcasting and receiving. For a small fee, the museum also offers tours during closed hours to schools, senior citizen group and care centers for the disabled. We have also added video components to aid in the museum experience for any members who are unable to travel throughout the museum. Radio Repair Classes are offered by the Museum is intended for people who wish to learn how to restore vacuum tube radios to working condition. Both lecturers and hand on exercises teach students the inner working of antique radio technology and the theory behind them. The classes are geared for everyone, from the novice all the way to the master. On Site Childrens Programs The museum has on-site Kids Program designed to introduce students K-6th grade to the scientific and cultural history of radio and television. Participants in the hour long program will engage in active learning experiences using Morse code, decoding secret radio messages and exploring sound waves using oscilloscopes. The Kids program conforms to Maryland Board of Education standards. Virtual programing was added during the pandemic with special emails and webinars.

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 August 1994.

    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.