National Sailing Hall of Fame Museum Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION PRESERVES THE HISTORY OF SAILING AND ITS IMPACT ON AMERICAN CULTURE; HONORS THOSE WHO HAVE MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPORT; DEMONSTRATES ITS VALUE FOR SCHOLASTIC AND LIFE SKILLS LEARNING; AND ENCOURAGES SAILING DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $104,254, executive director
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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 59% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 53% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $919,115 spent. MUSEUM: IN MARCH 2019, THE SAILING MUSEUM PURCHASED REAL ESTATE IN NEWPORT, RI TO CREATE A MUSEUM AND VENUE FOR ON-SITE LEARNING AND TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE - LONGSTANDING VISIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION. IN MAY 2022, THE SAILING MUSEUM OPENED IT'S DOORS TO THE PUBLIC. IN THIS HISTORIC BUILDING, THE HERITAGE OF SAILING IS CELEBRATED, IT'S LEGENDS HONORED, AND NEW GENERATIONS OF SAILORS AND INNOVATORS CULTIVATED. THE MUSEUM IS A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE ACCESS POINT FOR ALL TO LEARN ABOUT THE SPORT OF SAILING THROUGH IMMERSIVE AND INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS.
- $698,926 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND INDUCTION: THE MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE AT THE SAILING MUSEUM PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART AND MATH) PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE. 2023 SAW THE LAUNCH OF THE NESS PARTNERSHIP SERVING 6TH GRADE SCIENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL IN NEWPORT. THIS PROGRAM CONTINUES.IN OCTOBER OF 2024 WE HOSTED THE 14TH ANNUAL INDUCTION TO THE HALL OF FAME. THE MUSEUM RECOGNIZES THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF U.S. SAILORS IN THREE CATEGORIES (SAILING, TECHNICAL, AND CONTRIBUTOR), AND LEVERAGES THESE ACHIEVEMENTS TO INSPIRE NEW GENERATIONS OF SAILORS. THE 2024 CEREMONY WAS HOSTED BY CHICAGO YACHT CLUB, INDUCTING 12 NEW MEMBERS INTO THE HALL OF FAME.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.