Key West Art & Historical Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE KEY WEST ART AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO PRESERVE THE CULTURE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS THROUGH EXHIBITING AND DISPLAYING REGIONAL ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND HISTORY FOR THE PURPOOSE OF EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY AND VISITING PUBLIC.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 8.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 64%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $189,737, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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 (3)
- $1.1 million spent. THE KEY WEST ART AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOSTED SEVERAL ROTATING EXHIBITS AT THE KEY WEST MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE AND UPDATED DISPLAYS AT ITS THREE OTHER MUSEUMS. THE SOCIETY CONTINUED ITS YOUTH AND ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS LIKE ARTCAMP!, HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM, COMMUNITY DAY, FAMILY DAY, HISTORIC HARBOR SAILS, DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES, HAPPY HOUR WITH THE HISTORIAN, AND MORE. EDUCATION STAFF PERFORMED OUTREACH TO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS WITHIN THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. ADDITIONALLY, SIGNATURE SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE THE CUSTOM HOUSE HOLIDAY CONCERT & BAZAAR, CONCH REVIVAL PICNIC, AND TENNESSEE WILLIAMS KEY WEST FESTIVAL WERE HELD AT THE MUSEUMS. THE SOCIETY ALSO BEGAN REPLACING THE INTERIOR ELEVATOR AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
- $638,830 spent. OPERATION OF THE MUSEUM STORES, WHICH PROVIDE MUSEUM GUESTS WITH BOOKS, COLLECTION INSPIRED OBJECTS, AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES PROMOTING THEMISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION AND CULTURE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS.
- $547,955 spent. CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ENGAGING CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO PROMOTE THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS. PROGRAMMING: -ARTCAMP: AN ART AND HISTORY BASED CAMP THAT RUNS THROUGH SUMMER AND SCHOOL BREAKS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED FOR MANY UNDERSERVED CHILDREN. HOMESCHOOL: AN ART AND HISTORY BASED IMMERSIVE PROGRAM FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES. FAMILY MUSEUM DAY: A FREE ART PROGRAM THAT ROTATES THROUGH MUSEUMS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH. THE DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES, WHICH BEGAN IN FY2014 IS A LECTURE SERIES PERTAINING TO FLORIDA KEYS ART AND HISTORY. SPEAKERS INCLUDED. HISTORIC HARBOR SAILS: A LECTURE SERIES ABOARD THE ARGO NAVIS; TOPICS VARY. HAPPY HOUR WITH THE HISTORIAN: A CURATOR LED LECTURE; TOPICS VARY.TOTAL IMPACT: 120,000+ INDIVIDUALS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.