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Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University Inc

EIN 58-1443900 · Gainesville, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA HISTORY CENTER IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND SHARING OUR REGIONAL HISTORY AND BEING OUR COMMUNITYS PATHWAY TO HISTORY EDUCATION. THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, EXHIBITS, AND HISTORIC STRUCTURES, WE STRIVE TO BE A LEADING RESOURCE FOR PROMOTING A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL HISTORY.

Income
$552,422
Spending
$463,174
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
11
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$43,525, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 132% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $133,951 spent. EXHIBIT GALLERIES: OUR MAIN EXHIBIT, THE LAND OF PROMISE, TELLS STORIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT OUR REGION IS A LAND OF PROMISE FOR EVERYONE. WE ADDITIONALLY HAVE THE MATHIS FOLK ART GALLERY AND OUR CHANGING EXHIBIT SPACE. ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THE HISTORY CENTER'S COLLECTION OF HISTORIC ARTIFACTS IS ON DISPLAY AT ANY ONE TIME; THE REMAINDER REMAINS IN THE ARCHIVES WHERE THE MATERIAL CULTURE OF OUR SHARED PAST IS CARED FOR AND MAINTAINED IN A PROFESSIONAL, ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. ACCESS TO THE ARCHIVES IS BY APPOINTMENT. THE 18TH-CENTURY CABIN OF CHEROKEE INDIAN WHITE PATH WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED C. 1780. THE CABIN WAS SAVED AND RESTORED BY DON COOLEY, A DESCENDANT OF WHITE PATH, AND MOVED TO THE PRESENT SITE BY JAMES MATHIS. WE ALSO ARE HOME TO THE HERRIN BLACKSMITH SHOP. THE AMERICAN FREEDOM GARDEN, WHERE WE PAY TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN IS ALSO LOCATED ON OUR GROUNDS. IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS, THE HISTORY CENTER: - OPENED TWO NEW EXHIBITS - WELCOMED 2,000+ VISITORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. EXHIBIT GALLERIES: OUR MAIN EXHIBIT, THE LAND OF PROMISE, TELLS STORIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT OUR REGION IS A LAND OF PROMISE FOR EVERYONE. WE ADDITIONALLY HAVE THE MATHIS FOLK ART GALLERY AND OUR CHANGING EXHIBIT SPACE. ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THE HISTORY CENTER'S COLLECTION OF HISTORIC ARTIFACTS IS ON DISPLAY AT ANY ONE TIME; THE REMAINDER REMAINS IN THE ARCHIVES WHERE THE MATERIAL CULTURE OF OUR SHARED PAST IS CARED FOR AND MAINTAINED IN A PROFESSIONAL, ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. ACCESS TO THE ARCHIVES IS BY APPOINTMENT. THE 18TH-CENTURY CABIN OF CHEROKEE INDIAN WHITE PATH WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED C. 1780. THE CABIN WAS SAVED AND RESTORED BY DON COOLEY, A DESCENDANT OF WHITE PATH, AND MOVED TO THE PRESENT SITE BY JAMES MATHIS. WE ALSO ARE HOME TO THE HERRIN BLACKSMITH SHOP. THE AMERICAN FREEDOM GARDEN, WHERE WE PAY TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN IS ALSO LOCATED ON OUR GROUNDS. IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS, THE HISTORY CENTER: - OPENED TWO NEW EXHIBITS - WELCOMED 2,000+ VISITORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.
  2. $127,092 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH: THE ADA MAE IVESTER EDUCATION CENTER AND THE COTTRELL DIGITAL STUDIO PROVIDE THE CORE OF OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS THE HISTORY CENTER: - WELCOMED 3000+ CHILDREN ON FIELD TRIPS, FOR HOMESCHOOL DAYS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS - PARTNERED WITH OTHER AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS. - HELD MONTHLY LECTURES ON NOTABLE TOPICS BY AREA HISTORIANS AND PROFESSORS. - TOOK HISTORY LEARNING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AT REGIONAL FESTIVALS.
  3. $53,709 spent. GAINESVILLE READS: THE HISTORY CENTER OFFERS AN AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EXTRA HELP IN LITERACY TO ELEMENTARY-AGE STUDENTS WHO NEED IT. USING ONE-ON-ONE VOLUNTEERS WITH THE STUDENTS AND THE LEXIA READING APPLICATION, PARTICIPANTS MEET ONCE A WEEK TO PRACTICE AND IMPROVE THEIR READING AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 1981.

    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.

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