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Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation

EIN 54-1996270 · Chesapeake, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GREAT BRIDGE BATTLEFIELD & WATERWAYS HISTORY FOUNDATION PROTECTS, PRESERVES, AND PROMOTES THE HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF GREAT BRIDGE, DECEMBER 9, 1775, AND THE REGION'S REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND CANAL HISTORY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE EVENTS IN THE CREATION AND GROWTH OF AMERICA.

Income
$205,098
Spending
$284,662
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
6
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$64,290, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $115,279 spent. PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD SITE AND ARTIFACTS HELD IN COLLECTION RELATING TO THE BATTLE OF GREAT BRIDGE AND THE REGION'S REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND CANAL HISTORY. INTERPRET THE HISTORIC SITE AND EXHIBITS IN ORDER TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE EVENTS IN THE CREATION AND GROWTH OF AMERICA. PROMOTE THE SITE AND ITS HISTORY THROUGH SELF-GUIDED OR DOCENT -LED TOURS IN THE PARK AND MUSEUM, PARTICIPATION AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, PRESENTATIONS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND ASSIST THE CITY BY PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL REENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE EACH DECEMBER AND THE DISPLAY OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
  2. $70,754 spent. OPERATION OF THE GREAT BRIDGE BATTLEFIELD & WATERWAYS MUSEUM TO INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF STAFF AND MAINTENANCE OF MUSEUM EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TUESDAY - SATURDAY FROM 10AM- 5PM AND SUNDAYS 12PM-5PM.
  3. $24,045 spent. PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LECTURES, AND EVENTS TO PROMOTE THE REGION'S REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND CANAL HISTORY.

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 March 2001.

    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.