Historic Wilmington Foun Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Historic Wilmington Foundation is to protect and preserve the irreplaceable historic resources of Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear Region.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $442,950
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 43.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 49%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 65
- Highest pay
- $34,580, former interim 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 43.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 131% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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 (3)
- $264,730 spent. Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF) operates a retail salvage operation, Legacy Architectural Salvage (LAS). HWF works every day to keep historic properties intact and in place. But when a property is facing demolition, LAS serves as the best-case option in a worst-case scenario. Our team of staff and volunteers deconstruct historic properties, salvaging architectural elements (e.g., flooring, doors, windows, door knobs, fireplace mantles, newel posts, and more). LAS also accepts donations of pre-1960s architectural salvage from homeowners and contractors, who have removed such elements during deconstruction and renovation projects. These elements are then sold to members of our community, who utilize them in restoration and rehabilitation projects. As an operation of HWF, LAS diverts tons of wood from the landfill and places these salvaged elements right back into area properties, helping to preserve our region's built history. Proceeds from LAS support HWF's preservation efforts.At LAS, free workshops are offered on a regular basis, covering various topics related to home repair and maintenance. Wilmington is blessed with a large supply of historic homes, but unfortunately, there's a limited number of home improvement professionals who specialize in repairing and restoring historic homes. LAS works to fill that gap, serving as a much needed hub for knowledge on how to preserve and protect our built history. Through these workshops, LAS connects historic preservation professionals with historic home stewards, educating and empowering our community. These practical demonstrations promote self-sufficiency in area homeowners as taking on home improvement projects themselves can be far less costly than hiring help. Proper maintenance ensures that historic homes remain affordable and protects those homes for future generations.
- For over 55 years, HWF has preserved our region's built history utilizing a revolving grant fund, easements, education, and advocacy. Wilmington has eight National Register of Historic Places and HWF has played a pivotal role in the creation and designation of all of them. Beginning with the creation of the Wilmington Historic and Archeological District in 1974, HWF has helped establish the National Register of Historic Places of Market Street Mansion, Carolina Place, Carolina Heights, Masonboro Sound, Sunset Park, Westbrook-Ardmore, and Brookwood. HWF has one of the most prolific local plaque programs in the country, featuring six distinctive plaques to honor a variety of historic properties. More than 700 plaques have been researched and approved for historic properties throughout New Hanover County, NC, and beyond. Another educational program is Tar Heels Go Walking, a walking tour for New Hanover County's third grade students. HWF also holds free walking tours each month for adults, covering a variety of topics related to architecture and history. In the last three years, HWF has used its revolving grant fund for the relocation of 310 Bladen, an 1890s bungalow set for demolition, and the restoration of Reaves Chapel, a local landmark to Gullah Geechee culture and heritage. HWF's Preservation Equity Fund helps to save properties on the City of Wilmington's Demolition by Neglect (DBN) list; this program serves our neighbors who are most in need of saving not just their homes, but our community's built history. In 2021, HWF committed itself to finding a solution for the perpetual care of Maides Cemetery, a historic African American cemetery (located in New Hanover County) with graves dating back to the 19th century. Currently, HWF is assisting Giblem Lodge, the second-oldest Black Masonic Temple in the state, to prepare a local landmark application, engage consultants, and apply for grant funding to support dire repairs. HWF has also partnered with Cape Fear Community College to create a historic preservation construction certification. Training more contractors to properly restore historic properties ensures a strong future for our historic homes and strengthens our local job market.
- HWF partners with the City of Wilmington in an effort to save properties on the Demolition by Neglect (DBN) list. Grant funding is received from The 1772 Foundation, which helps identify endangered properties and then HWF works with area homeowners, providing grant funds for necessary repairs. In addition to funding, HWF provides advice and support during the repair process.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1967.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.