Passes our checks

Cherokee County Historical Society Inc

EIN 58-1715932 · Canton, GA

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

What it says it does

History Cherokee is a nonprofit organization engaged in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Cherokee County History.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Weak: 49 out of 100.

Reserves
0 of 35
Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 91 out of 100.

Independent board
25 of 25
25 of 25 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$276,003 spent. Welcomed over 4,000 visitors to the Cherokee County History Center, which features high and low tech interactive exhibits. Hosted 28 educational programs including childrens events such as Homeschool Days, History Camps, Archaeology Day and Flag Day.
$184,003 spent. Installed a new permanent exhibit about the history and habitat of the Etowah River. This outdoor exhibit is accessible to all and includes conservation facts and information provided by the Upper Etowah River Alliance.
$153,336 spent. Produced Black History Driving Tours in both digital and print format, for the Georgia cities of Canton and Woodstock. Both versions included historic photographs, information about each site, and a map of all 19 sites. This project is supported by Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly. The digital tour was created using Open Tour Building, a free software platform created by the Emory Center for Digital Scholarship.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 1987.
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.