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Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation Inc

EIN 58-2074065 · Fayetteville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HISTORICAL COMPLEX FOUNDATION, INC'S PURPOSE IT TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE THE GROWTH, PROGRESS, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HISTORICAL COMPLEX AT FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA (A REGIONAL BRANCH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF HISTORY). THE FOUNDATION SOLICITS AND RECEIVES GRANTS, DONATION, GIFTS AND BEQUESTS TO ASSIST THE MUSEUM IN THE EXECUTION OF ITS PROGRAMS. THE MUSEUM COLLECTS, PRESERVES, AND INTERPRETS THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH EXHIBITS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. THE HISTORICAL COMPLEX IS COMPOSED OF THE MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR, 1897 POE HOUSE, AND ARSENAL PARK. THE COMPLEX RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PAST AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE PRESENT.

Income
$62,776
Spending
$46,580
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
41.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $46,580 spent. WHILE THE MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HISTORICAL COMPLEX IS A STATE AGENCY, THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT OUTSIDE FUNDS. THE MUSEUM FOUNDATION RELIES ON GRANTS, MEMBERSHIP DUES, DONATIONS, AND FUND-RAISING EVENTS TO OFFER A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF PROGRAMS. STAFF MEMBERS WORKED DILIGENTLY IN 2017, RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS, PLANNING SPECIAL EVENTS AND HANDS-ON PROGRAMS, BRINING IN NEW EXHIBITS, REACHING OUT TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, PROMOTING THE MUSEUM COMPLEX, AND FINDING ALTERNATE FUNDING SOURCES ALL IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THIS HISTORICAL AGENCY AND PROVE ITS VIABILITY AS A CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SOUTHERN NC.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.