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Museum of the Marine

EIN 56-2186718 · Jacksonville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.

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

What it says it does

CAROLINA MUSEUM OF THE MARINE IS BUILDING A 25,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY HONORING THE LEGACY OF CAROLINA MARINES AND SAILORS AND TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$656,771
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
5
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$147,600, board member- former president/ceo

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

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 more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 86% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
  1. $444,973 spent. IN MAY OF 2016, PHASE 1 OF THE MUSEUM, A REFLECTION AND CELEBRATION PARK, WAS COMPLETED AND OPENED TO THE PUBLIC. THE PARK FEATURES THE WORLD'S LARGEST EAGLE GLOBE AND ANCHOR SCULPTURE STANDING 13 FEET HIGH WITH AN 11 FOOT WINGSPAN AND WEIGHING 2,500 POUNDS SLATED WITHIN A REFLECTION POOL SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED GROUNDS, LIGHTED WALKWAYS CONTAINING MEMORIAL BRICKS, FIVE ILLUMINATED FLAGPOLES, A CONTOURED FOOT BRIDGE AND AMPLE PARKING. THE PARK IS SITUATED AMONG OTHER MEMORIALS IN THE LEJEUNE MEMORIAL GARDENS IN JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. THE PARK IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE ITS OPENING, THE PARK HAS BECOME THE VENUE FOR A NUMBER OF RETIREMENT AND PROMOTION CEREMONIES. IN JANUARY 2018, THE FACILITY WAS GIFTED TO THE NAVY AND IS CURRENTLY MAINTAINED BY THEM. THE MUSEUM HAS CONTINUED ITS COMMEMORATIVE BRICK PROGRAM AND STILL ASSISTS WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK FACILITY. DEVELOPMENT IS UNDER WAY TO ESTABLISH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ALONG WITH THE MUSEUM. THE STUDENT BASE WOULD INCLUDE BOTH YOUNG AS WELL AS MATURE ADULTS EAGER TO LEARN THE VALUE OF STRONG LEADERSHIP, QUALITY VALUES AND EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING CAPABILITIES. PILOT PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY BEING EXECUTED.
  2. THE MUSEUM CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN AN INVENTORY OF ARTIFACTS CURRENTLY HELD IN STORAGE IN CLIMATE CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE FACILITIES. DEVELOPMENT IS UNDER WAY TO ESTABLISH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ALONG WITH THE MUSEUM. THE STUDENT BASE WOULD INCLUDE BOTH YOUNG AS WELL AS MATURE ADULTS EAGER TO LEARN THE VALUE OF STRONG LEADERSHIP, QUALITY VALUES AND EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING CAPABILITIES. PILOT PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED AND ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN PLANNED. THE COST OF THESE SERVICES IS INCLUDED IN THE AMOUNT SHOWN FOR THE FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT AND INCLUDES ALL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

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 July 2000.

    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.