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Georgia Historical Society

EIN 58-0593403 · Savannah, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation. Founded in 1839 with the mission to collect, examine, and teach Georgia and American history through education and research.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
57 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
30
Volunteers
15,000
Highest pay
$526,882, ceo & president

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.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 57.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (5)
  1. $2.8 million spent. Education and outreach programs - GHS teaches Georgia and American history to teachers, students, and general audiences through the delivery of professional development programs for educators (K-12 and college faculty), development and distribution of classroom resources for teachers, "Today in Georgia History, the annual Georgia History Festival. In addition, GHS makes history accessible to diverse audiences, including tourists, through the delivery of statewide lectures featuring nationally recognized historians, management of the statewide historical marker program, and through its affiliate chapter program which provides technical services and program support to local historical organizations statewide.
  2. $991,453 spent. Library and archives services - a major research center, the GHS library and archives is home to the most distinguished collection of primary and secondary source materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation. Manuscript, map, artifact, portrait, and photo records are searchable via online research tools, including an online image database and OPAC. In addition, researchers (teachers, students, scholars, and history enthusiasts) are invited to conduct on-site research in the Hodgson Hall reading room where professional archivists and reference staff provide direct access to primary and secondary source materials held within the GHS collection.
  3. $319,265 spent. Telling the Story of Georgia for Nearly Two Centuries: GHS has been publishing Georgia history almost since its founding and it remains committed to this vital part of our mission. In 1840, in an effort to facilitate research on Georgia history and increase access to its collections, GHS launched an ambitious publications program, which initially consisted of transcribing and publishing many of its most significant manuscripts. Since 1917 GHS has been publishing The Georgia Historical Quarterly, a scholarly publication featuring articles, book reviews, photo essays, and edited primary materials related to Georgia history. Today, the Quarterly is recognized as the journal of record for Georgia history and as one of the finest state historical publications in the nation. GHS also publishes Georgia History Today, a popular history newsmagazine dedicated to examining the ongoing presence of the past. Georgia History Today explores efforts underway around the state to promote history, including articles on some of the fascinating documents and artifacts in our collection, historic sites, new books being published, and the programs and activities of our affiliates throughout Georgia. It also focuses on the many Georgians who are making a difference in how history is preserved and taught, both through their time and their resources.
  4. $320,404 spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES, INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP.
  5. (Expenses $ 320,404 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 295,449) ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES, INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP.

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 May 1951.

    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.