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Society of Colonial Wars in the District of Columbia

EIN 52-6078080 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 103 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY ARE TO AID IN PREPARING AND PUBLISHING CORRECT HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES NOW INCLUDED IN THE TERRITOTRY BELONGING TO THE UNITED STATES, FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA, MAY 13, 1607, TO THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, APRIL 9, 1775; TO COMMEMORATE THE IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THAT PERIOD; TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO IN MILITARY, NAVAL, AND CIVIL POSITIONS OF TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITY, BY THEIR ACTS AND COUNSEL; AND TO PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF LOYALTY AND PATRIOTIC DEVOTION TO THE NATION WHICH THEY FOUNDED.

Income
$166,086
Spending
$191,816
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
48.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.6 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 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 103 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 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 (1)
  1. $143,422 spent. THE SOCIETY FULFILLS ITS MISSION BY:1-ANNUALY HOSTING A LARGE SOCIAL GATHERING WHICH FEATURES A NOTED VISITING AUTHOR WHO SPEAKS ON A RELEVANT TOPIC.2-AWARDING THE HARRYMAN DORSEY SCHOLARSHIP TO A DESERVING COLLEGE STUDENT.3-FUNDING A RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE FRED W. SMITH NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE STUDY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON. THE SCHOLAR IS SELECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT JURY AND IS RESEARCHING A RELEVANT TOPIC.4-MAKING GIFTS TO HISTORIC SITES WHICH HELP TEACH THE VISITING PUBLIC ABOUT COLONIAL ERA.5-HOSTING SOCIAL EVENTS AT IMPORTANT LOCAL HISTORIC SITES TO EDUCATE OUR MEMBERS AND GUESTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 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 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 November 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 March 1952.

    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.