Historic Charleston Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR A FUTURE FOR CHARLESTON THAT HONORS AND PROTECTS ITS PEOPLE, PLACES, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $4.8 million
- Spending
- $4.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 57.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 37%
- Employees
- 126
- Volunteers
- 519
- Highest pay
- $183,857, president/ceo
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: 90 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 57.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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.
Independent board
25 of 2527 of 27 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 (4)
- $3.5 million spent. PRESERVATION SERVICES - HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION (HCF) IS ONE OF THE NATION'S OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. FOUNDED IN 1947 BY A GROUP OF CONCERNED LOCAL CITIZENS, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES ITS VITAL ROLE IN MANAGING GROWTH IN CHARLESTON AND PRESERVING THE CITY'S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND NEIGHBORHOODS. HCF IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE PRESERVATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.THE FOUNDATION CREATED THE NATION'S FIRST REVOLVING FUND FOR NEIGHBORHOODS, SAVING AND PROTECTING OVER 140 HISTORIC STRUCTURES, AND STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF REVITALIZING ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS RATHER THAN JUST INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS. HCF CREDITS ITS ANSONBOROUGH PROJECT WITH INSPIRING COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. THROUGH THE REVOLVING FUND, HCF PURCHASED A HISTORIC GAS STATION AT 80 ASHLEY AVENUE THAT WAS AT RISK OF DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT. AFTER EMBARKING ON A SIGNIFICANT MASONRY RESTORATION PROJECT THAT STABILIZED THE STRUCTURE, HCF LISTED THE PROPERTY FOR SALE. WITH RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS IN PLACE, HCF IS LOOKING FOR PRESERVATION-MINDED BUYERS TO REVITALIZE THIS HISTORIC COMMERCIAL BUILDING.THE FOUNDATION'S NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE IS AN ARM OF THE REVOLVING FUND. ESTABLISHED IN 1995, THE GOAL IS TO BE A CATALYST FOR THE PRESERVATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS BY CREATING COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACES AND REHABILITATING DETERIORATED HISTORIC PROPERTIES, WHILE ALSO PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT OF LONG-TERM RESIDENTS. IN 2014, HCF PROVIDED FUNDING TO ESTABLISH THE ROMNEY URBAN GARDEN, A JOINT PROJECT WITH NEW ISRAEL REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH WHICH OWNED AN ABANDONED LOT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COMMUNITY GARDEN CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AS THE SITE OF COMMUNITY EVENTS TO INCLUDE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, POETRY READINGS AND PIZZA PARTIES, WITH PIZZA AND PIES MADE IN THE GARDEN'S OVEN. THE COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE CONCEPT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT HCF EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO ESTABLISH A BOOK NOOK READING AREA AND POLLINATOR GARDEN IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD. THE FOUNDATION'S COMMON CAUSE LOAN FUND IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HCF AND THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY NON-PROFIT, THE CHARLESTON REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. THE COMMON CAUSE LOAN FUND PROVIDES LOANS OF UP TO $60,000 FOR EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO HISTORIC HOUSES FOR INCOME QUALIFIED HOMEOWNERS. THESE LEGACY HOMEOWNERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF CHARLESTON AND THESE NEEDED REPAIRS HELP FAMILIES TO RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF THEIR HOMES. POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS ARE BELOW THE 80% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME THRESHOLD. IN 2024, HCF APPROVED THREE REPAIR PROJECTS UNDER THE COMMON CAUSE LOAN FUND AND PARTNERED WITH CITY OF CHARLESTON ON APPLICATIONS FOR THREE ADDITIONAL LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX PROJECTS. HCF IS ALSO KNOWN AS AN INNOVATOR IN HISTORIC EASEMENT AND COVENANT PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 380 EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS, WHICH PROTECT HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN THE CITY AND OUTLYING AREAS AS WELL AS OVER TWO THOUSAND ACRES OF OPEN LAND OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. PROPERTIES PROTECTED BY EASEMENTS AND COVENANTS HELD BY HCF ARE AS DIVERSE AS THE MAGNIFICENT C.1772 WILLIAM GIBBES HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON TO THE C.1939 AULDBRASS NEAR BEAUFORT, SC, THE ONLY PLANTATION DESIGNED BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT. THROUGH ITS EASEMENTS MANAGER, THE FOUNDATION PERFORMS ANNUAL INSPECTIONS AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL OUTREACH TO ALL OUR EASEMENT AND COVENANT PROPERTY OWNERS, HELPING WITH APPROPRIATE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES FOR ISSUES RANGING FROM BRICK RE-POINTING TO WINDOW RESTORATION TO THE CLEANING OF ARCHITECTURAL STONE. THE FOUNDATION ACTIVELY ADVOCATES AND CONTINUALLY MONITORS ISSUES OF PRESERVATION, URBAN PLANNING, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, LIVABILITY, AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY OF CHARLESTON AND IS A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF THE PUBLIC PROCESS. THE PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT MAKES SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROVIDES INPUT AT COUNTY AND CITY COUNCIL, ZONING, PLANNING, AND DESIGN REVIEW HEARINGS. STAFF ALSO MEET REGULARLY WITH PROPERTY OWNERS, DEVELOPERS, AND ARCHITECTS TO REVIEW THEIR PROPOSED PROJECTS. SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDE RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES, NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS, AND ASSISTING THE CITY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUND PUBLIC POLICIES. RESPONDING TO THE SIGNIFICANT DEMOGRAPHIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN CHARLESTON OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, HCF CONSTANTLY WORKS WITH THE CITY TO RE-ALIGN OUR LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICES TO ADDRESS THESE CHANGES. IN 2024, HCF ACTIVELY WORKED WITH THE CITY, DEVELOPERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE UNION PIER TERMINAL, A HISTORICALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT PARCEL OF OVER SIXTY-FIVE ACRES IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON ADJACENT TO TWO HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS. THROUGH OUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, HCF IS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR DEVELOPMENT ON UNION PIER THAT REFLECTS HISTORIC CHARLESTON'S DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS, CENTERED AROUND AN ACCESSIBLE AND VIBRANT PUBLIC REALM.AS PART OF THE OUTREACH TO PROTECT HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES ITS PROACTIVE EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES. WITH SUPPORT FROM HCF AND OTHER PARTNERS, SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE MOUNTED GRASSROOTS PRESERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. AS A RESULT, CHARLESTON COUNTY NOW FORMALLY RECOGNIZES FOUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS: TEN MILE, PHILLIPS COMMUNITY, BEEFIELD COMMUNITY, AND HAMLIN. THE OFFICIAL DESIGNATION PROTECTS THESE COMMUNITIES FROM OVER-DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE OVERSIGHT OF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC)ENSURING THAT CHANGES TO THE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATE "CONSISTENCY WITH THE PREVAILING PATTERNS OF EXISTING LOTS, DENSITIES, SPACING OF HOMES, LOT SIZES AND SHAPES, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT THAT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION DEEMS APPLICABLE." THE FOUNDATION HAS WORKED FOR
- PUBLIC PROGRAMS - AS PART OF HCF'S MISSION TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE FOUNDATION HOLDS ITS ANNUAL CHARLESTON FESTIVAL (FORMERLY THE FESTIVAL OF HOUSES AND GARDENS). EACH MARCH AND APRIL THE MONTHLONG FESTIVAL ALLOWS VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT AND VISIT THE CITY'S FINEST HISTORIC PRIVATE HOUSES AND GARDENS, AS WELL AS ATTEND WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, EDUCATIONAL CONCERTS, AND OTHER CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS, MORNING HISTORY WALKS, AS WELL AS SPECIALTY TOURS EDUCATING GUESTS ABOUT THE HISTORY, PRESERVATION, AND ADVOCACY ISSUES AROUND THE CITY. FOR 2024, THE FOUNDATION WAS ABLE TO HOST OVER 5,000 GUESTS AT ONE HUNDRED INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AND ENABLED ACCESS TO SEVENTY-FIVE PRIVATE HISTORIC HOMES AND GARDENS TO BETTER HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF PRESERVED SPACES. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS ADULT EDUCATION IN THE ART & ARCHITECTURE STUDY SERIES FOR 2023-2024, THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH IN-DEPTH STUDIES OF CHARLESTON'S CULTURAL HERITAGE. THIS YEAR'S SERIES OF PROGRAMS INCLUDED A DISCUSSION ON DESIGNING NEW BUILDINGS IN THE CITY'S URBAN CORE THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL, HUMANE, AND GENEROUS IN DETAILING AS WELL AS AN EXPERT LECTURE ABOUT COLLECTING TRENDS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF CHARLESTON TODAY.THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO EMPHASIZE ITS CURRICULUM-BASED FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITIES. WITH CONTINUED LOGISTICAL AND BUDGETARY ISSUES, STUDENT VISITATION FROM LOCAL AND REGIONAL SCHOOLS WAS SEVERELY OBSTRUCTED, BUT HCF CONTINUES TO HOST AN INCREASING NUMBER OF BOTH ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS ON HOSTING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LEVEL STUDENTS IN THE FIELD OF HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION, HIGHLIGHTING BOTH MUSEUM HOUSES AS LIVING LABORATORIES. WE ARE FOCUSING ON REIMAGINING OUR EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM AND CONDUCTING ENHANCED FIELD TRIPS IN 2025 WITH PLANS FOR CONTINUED GROWTH.HCF ALSO HOSTED PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN 2024, SPECIFICALLY AN EXCELLENCE IN WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT FORUM WHICH EXPLORED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNION PIER SITE. THE DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSED VISIONARY AND ASPIRATIONAL NEEDS OF WATERFRONT ACCESS WITH MEMORABLE PARKS, GENEROUS CIVIC SPACES, PROPERLY SCALED BLOCKS, AND BUILDINGS THAT REFLECT CHARLESTON'S HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS, INTEGRATED RESILIENCY MEASURES, AND AN AUTHENTIC MIX OF USES THAT WILL MAKE IT A VIBRANT DISTRICT FOR ALL RESIDENTS. THIS IS A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF THE FOUNDATIONS ROLE AS A PROMINENT CONVENER OF VOICES AND EFFORTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE CHARLESTON REGION.
- MUSEUMS - HCF FULFILLS ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION THROUGH THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS COLLECTIONS AND TWO OUTSTANDING MUSEUM HOUSES: THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE, C. 1808, AT 51 MEETING STREET, ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST SIGNIFICANT NEOCLASSICAL FEDERAL TOWNHOUSES; AND THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE, C. 1820, AT 48 ELIZABETH STREET, WHERE VISITORS CAN STEP BACK IN TIME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND LIFE IN ANTEBELLUM CHARLESTON. HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION PURCHASED THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE, C. 1808, A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, IN 1955. VISITORS CONTINUE TO ADMIRE THE GRAND FEDERAL-STYLE TOWNHOUSE OF PROMINENT MERCHANT, NATHANIEL RUSSELL. COMPLETED IN 1808 WHEN RUSSELL WAS 70 YEARS OLD, THE LAVISHLY ORNAMENTED HOUSE SERVES AS A TESTAMENT TO THE GREAT WEALTH HE ACCUMULATED OVER HIS DISTINGUISHED LIFETIME. THEN, AS NOW, THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE IS AMONG THE FINEST DWELLINGS IN CHARLESTON. THE HOUSE ALSO STANDS IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CONTEMPORARY CHARLESTON RESIDENCES WITH A UNIQUE GEOMETRIC FLOOR PLAN AND FINE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILING. THE INTERIOR BOASTS A SPACIOUS RECEPTION ROOM WITH INTRICATE GLAZED DOORS, AN ELEGANT FREE-FLYING STAIRCASE, AND ELABORATE TROMPE-L'OEIL DECORATION FROM THE FIRST TO THE THIRD FLOORS. PAINSTAKINGLY RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL 1808 APPEARANCE, THE RUSSELL HOUSE ALSO SERVES AS THE IDEAL EXHIBITION SPACE FOR HCF'S OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF FINE AND DECORATIVE ARTS. IN A COMMITMENT TO TELL THE STORIES OF EVERYONE WHO LIVED AND LABORED ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE FOUNDATION'S TWO HOUSE MUSEUMS, THE APP-BASED AUDIO GUIDES INTERPRET THE HISTORIES OF THE HOUSES, ARCHITECTURE AND MUSEUM OBJECTS AND DISCUSS THE LIVES OF THE WHITE FAMILIES WHO OWNED THE PROPERTIES AS WELL AS THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE. COMMENTARY FROM LOCAL EXPERTS SUPPLEMENT THE AUDIO GUIDE, RANGING FROM A DISCUSSION OF THE HARSH REALITIES OF ENSLAVED LIFE TO ENTERTAINING IN THE ANTEBELLUM PERIOD TO COLONIAL PAINTING TECHNIQUES. THE APP ALSO FEATURES A WALKING GUIDE TO CHARLESTON'S WELL-KNOWN HISTORIC SITES WITH OVER THREE HUNDRED POINTS OF INTEREST AND THIRTY AUDIO STOPS. UNDERREPRESENTED NARRATIVES INCLUDE THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE THE GRIMKE SISTERS PLAYED IN THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT, OR THE ROLE OF THE FREEDMAN'S COTTAGE IN POST-CIVIL WAR CHARLESTON.THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE, C. 1820, WAS BUILT BY JOHN ROBINSON AND EXPANDED BY GOVERNOR AND MRS. WILLIAM AIKEN JR. IN THE 1830S. THE PROPERTY, WHICH REMAINED IN THE FAMILY UNTIL 1975, HAS SURVIVED AS A UNIQUE TIME CAPSULE, NEARLY UNALTERED SINCE 1858. THE MUSEUM HOUSE'S ORIGINAL DEPENDENCIES INCLUDE THE KITCHEN, SLAVES' QUARTERS, STABLE, COACH HOUSE, AND PRIVIES. TOGETHER WITH THE MAIN HOUSE, THESE STRUCTURES COMBINE TO FORM A RARE AND UNIQUE 19TH CENTURY URBAN COMPLEX. THE BUILDINGS AND THE ARTIFACTS WITHIN THEM POIGNANTLY ILLUSTRATE THE CONNECTIONS AMONG ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD, THOSE WHO LIVED IN THE MAIN HOUSE AS WELL AS THOSE WHO LIVED AND WORKED AS ENSLAVED AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THE PROPERTY. THE HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION HAS ADOPTED A UNIQUE APPROACH TO STEWARDSHIP OF THE HOUSE. THANKS IN GREAT PART TO A PRESTIGIOUS SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT, HCF HAS RESTORED AND THUS PROTECTED THE BUILDING'S EXTERIOR TO ITS 1858-1860 APPEARANCE. THE PRESERVATION PLAN FOR THE ORIGINAL HISTORIC INTERIOR IS STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION. THIS RARE APPROACH ENABLES THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HOUSE'S CONTINUED HABITATION AND ITS CHANGES OVER TIME AS MODERN TECHNOLOGIES, SUCH AS GAS LIGHTING AND ELECTRICITY, WERE ADOPTED. THE PERIOD FINISHES, SUCH AS ORIGINAL 19TH CENTURY WALLPAPERS, MAKE THE AIKEN-RHETT SITE ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST IMPORTANT HOUSE MUSEUMS, AND THE INTACT DECORATIVE LAYERS HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND NINETEENTH-CENTURY CONCEPTIONS OF REFINEMENT, PATTERNS OF CONSUMPTION, AND DECORATIVE PREFERENCES IN THE CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY.UNLIKE OTHER HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUMS, ALL OBJECTS ON DISPLAY ARE ORIGINAL TO THE HOUSE, PURCHASED BY GOV. AIKEN AND HIS WIFE, HARRIET LOWNDES AIKEN. DURING THEIR RESIDENCY, THE HOUSE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL DECORATIVE PERIODS AS THE COUPLE KEPT CURRENT WITH THE LATEST FASHIONS. WHILE MOST OF THE FURNISHINGS IN THE HOUSE WERE IN THE PLAIN GRECIAN STYLE, GOTHIC-INSPIRED AND ROCOCO REVIVAL OBJECTS WERE ACQUIRED FOR THEIR COLLECTION OVER TIME. LINKING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, IT IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT THESE ITEMS CLOSELY RELATE TO THE GOTHIC ELEMENTS FOUND IN THE OUTBUILDINGS.2024 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MUSEUMS INCLUDE RECOVERING MORE THAN 5,000 ARTIFACTS FROM ARCHEOLOGY AT THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL KITCHEN HOUSE CELLAR, INCLUDING A RARE CARNELIAN BEAD BROUGHT TO CHARLESTON BY ENSLAVED PEOPLE FROM AFRICA. THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE HOSTED OVER FOUR HUNDRED GUESTS ON FAMILY DAY, BROADENING OUR EDUCATIONAL IMPACT AMONG PRESERVATION ENTHUSIASTS, FAMILIES, AND VISITORS. DURING THE CHARLESTON FESTIVAL, CONTEMPORARY ART INSTALLATIONS AT THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE WITH RENOWNED CHARLESTON-BASED ARTISTS, JILL HOOPER, AND DAVID BOATWRIGHT, ENGAGED HUNDREDS OF NEW VISITORS AT THE HOUSE MUSEUM.
- LICENSED PRODUCTS - HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION BEGAN ITS LICENSED PRODUCTS PROGRAM IN 1972 AS AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO EXTEND THE FOUNDATION'S PRESERVATION EFFORTS BEYOND HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS TO CHARLESTON'S MATERIAL CULTURE AS WELL. ITEMS SELECTED FOR INCLUSION ARE THOSE WHOSE ORIGINS REFLECT CHARLESTON'S HISTORY, CULTURE, DECORATIVE ARTS, AND ARCHITECTURE.THE LICENSED PRODUCTS OF THE HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION PREVIOUSLY RANGED FROM FURNITURE, MIRRORS, JEWELRY, PORCELAIN, DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES, AND HISTORIC PAINT COLORS. MANY OF THE ORIGINAL OBJECTS, EITHER REPRODUCED OR USED AS INSPIRATION, CAN BE SEEN IN THE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS AND OTHER MUSEUM COLLECTIONS IN CHARLESTON. WHILE CURRENTLY A MUCH SMALLER PROGRAM THAN IN YEARS PAST, THE PROGRAM IS ENJOYING RENEWED FOCUS AND STRIVES TO KEEP CHARLESTON HISTORIC DESIGNS ALIVE AND MAKE THOSE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE TO A BROAD AUDIENCE WHILE GENERATING REVENUE TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION.
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 October 13, 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 August 1949.
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 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.