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The Cold War Museum Inc

EIN 54-1819817 · Vint Hill Frm, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COLD WAR MUSEUM IS A 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EDUCATION, PRESERVATION,AND RESEARCH ON THE GLOBAL, IDEOLOGICAL, AND POLITICAL CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN EAST AND WEST FROM THE END OF WORLD WAR II TO THE DISSOLUTION OF THE SOVIET UNION.THE THREE MAIN GOALS OF THE MUSEUM ARE TO:1). DEVELOP PERMANENT COLD WAR MUSEUMS TO PRESERVE LOCAL AND REGIONAL COLD WAR HISTORY, INCLUDING A NATIONAL MUSEUM FACILITY LOCATED IN THE WASHINGTON, DC / NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA.2). ERECT COLD WAR MEMORIALS, INCLUDING A NATIONAL COLD WAR MEMORIAL LOCATED NEAR ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY TO HONOR MEN AND WOMEN KILLED AS PART OF THE COLD WAR.3). ESTABLISH A REFERENCE LIBRARY AND RESEARCH CENTER TO HELP MAINTAIN THE HISTORICAL ACCURACY OF THE COLD WAR.

Income
$70,925
Spending
$74,503
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Highest pay
$18,750, former executive director & secre

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. INTERIM MUSEUM FACILITY:WE ARE DEVELOPING OUR PERMANENT LOCATION AT VINT HILL, A FORMER ARMY COMMUNICATION BASE USED BY THE NSA, CIA, AND ARMY INTELIGENCE DURING THE COLD WAR. FEATURES IN THE PERMANENT MUSEUM BUILDING WILL INCLUDE A CENTRAL HALL WITH EXHIBITS, A SMALL THEATER, THE MAIN GALLERY, A PICTURE GALLERY, LIBRARY AND STUDY AREAS AND GIFT STORE. THE CENTRAL HALL WILL INCLUDE ITEMS FROM THE BERLIN AIRFLIFT, USMLM, USS PUEBLO, USS LIBERTY, THE U-2 INCIDENT, THE BAY OF PIGS, AND THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISSIS.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 1997.

    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.