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Tryon Palace Foundation Inc

EIN 56-1795949 · New Bern, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE TRYON PALACE FOUNDATION IS TO SUPPORT THE TRYON PALACE HISTORIC SITES AND GARDENS BY PROTECTING, PRESERVING, AND DEVELOPING THE LEGACY OF ITS HISTORICAL PAST. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND VISITORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, BY BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF WHAT HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO US AND BY ENSURING ITS FUTURE FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
54 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
357
Highest pay
$32,640, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.0 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 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 119% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $647,272 spent. AS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION, TRYON PALACE FOUNDATION USES FUNDS RAISED FROM CONTRIBUTIONS, MEMBERSHIP, GRANTS, AND PROCEEDS FROM FUNDRAISING EVENTS, TO SUPPORT TRYON PALACE IN FULFILLING ITS MISSION.FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, LECTURES AND SPECIAL EVENTS, HISTORIC INTERPRETATION GROUPS, NEW EXHIBIT OPENINGS, AN AWARDS PROGRAM THAT OFFSETS THE COST OF FIELD TRIPS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR TITLE I SCHOOLS. IN 2024, TWO FOUNDATION FUNDRAISERS GENERATED UNRESTRICTED FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF TRYON PALACE'S MISSION AND PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION OWNS PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN NEW BERN FOR USE AS A COMMUNITY PARK AND EDUCATIONAL SITE. THIS PROPERTY WILL ALSO BE THE SITE OF THE NEW Z. SMITH REYNOLDS INCLUSIVE PUBLIC ART PIECE. THE TRYON PALACE ANNEX IS ANOTHER SITE OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR USE AS A TRYON PALACE COLLECTIONS CONSERVATION LAB, WORK AREA, AND STORAGE SPACE.
  2. $69,159 spent. PROMOTION OF SPECIAL HISTORIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL EVENTS AT TRYON PALACE.THE FOUNDATION WAS GIFTED PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN NEW BERN TO BE USED AS A COMMUNITY PARK AND EDUCATIONAL SITE. THIS SITE ALLOWS FOR TRYON PALACE REENACTMENT GROUPS TO INTERPRET HISTORY IN A VERY VISIBLE LOCATION, EXTENDING REACH TO DOWNTOWN VISITORS. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION RECEIVED A GRANT FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYANCE TO CLERMONT, A TRYON PALACE PROPERTY PLANNED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AS AN EDUCATIONAL HISTORIC SITE INCLUDING NATURE TRAILS AND PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON ARCHAEOLOGY, THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO ONCE LIVED THERE, CIVIL WAR HISTORY AND INFORMATION ON RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT (REVOLUTION). THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMMING AND FOR OUR REENACTMENT INTERPRETIVE GROUPS.
  3. $140,164 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROMOTES AND ADVOCATES FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN.THE PALACE SCHOLARS PROGRAM HELPS TO OFFSET COSTS FOR FIELD TRIPS TO TRYON PALACE FOR TITLE I SCHOOLS. IN 2024, MORE THAN $47,000 WAS AWARDED TO 56 TITLE I SCHOOLS ENABLING APPROXIMATELY 4,000 STUDENTS TO TAKE A FIELD TRIP TO TRYON PALACE. FUNDED WITH A GRANT RECEIVED FROM THE ANONYMOUS TRUST, THE PALACE SCHOLARS OUTREACH PROGRAM BRINGS COSTUMED INTERPRETERS INTO THE CLASSROOM OF TITLE I SCHOOLS WHO ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL TO TRYON PALACE. THE INTERPRETERS DELIVER LESSONS THAT FOCUS ON TRYON PALACE'S COLONIAL HISTORY, AS WELL AS 18TH CENTURY FIBER ARTS AND MILITARY LIFE. IN 2024, THE COSTUMED INTERPRETERS TRAVELLED TO 18 SCHOOLS AND DELIVERED LIVING HISTORY LESSONS AND HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATIONS TO NEARLY 1,700 STUDENTS.IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2024, THE FOUNDATION WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CRAVEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIFETIME LEARNING CENTER TO BRING 3 PROGRAMS TO TRYON PALACE THAT FOCUSED ON NEW BERN HISTORY WITH SPEAKERS FROM NC DNCR ARCHIVES, TRYON PALACE STAFF AND A WELL-KNOWN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORIAN.
  4. PROMOTION OF FREE CONCERTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPOSE THE PUBLIC TO THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL MISSION OF TRYON PALACE.

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 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 April 1993.

    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.