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Historical Society of Martin County Inc

EIN 59-0913326 · Stuart, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 59 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ELLIOTT MUSEUM IS TO ENRICH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXHIBITS, COLLECTIONS, CLASSES AND LECTURES, ALL DESIGNED TO SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AND VISIT THE TREASURE COAST.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
29
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$151,164, 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

Weak: 40 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 59 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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • 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

    0 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION SERVED THE PUBLIC BY MANAGING TWO LOCATIONS: THE ELLIOTT MUSEUM AND THE HOUSE OF REFUGE. AT THE ELLIOTT MUSEUM, GUESTS ENJOYED A VARIETY OF PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS WHICH INCLUDE A FOUCAULT PENDULUM; LARGE COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE VEHICLES,BASEBALL MEMORABILIA, LOCAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, LOCAL AND FINE ART.CHANGING EXHIBITIONS INCLUDED THE APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING,PIRATES AND AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION OF THE HUMAN BODY.GROUP TOURS AND LECTURE SERIES ARE HOSTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE HOUSE OF REFUGE MUSEUM EDUCATES GUESTS ON THE REGION'S SIGNIFICANT MARITIME HERITAGE AND THE HISTORY OF THE US LIFE SAVING SERVICE. EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE ARCHEOLOGICAL AND SHIPWRECK MATERIALS.

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 December 1956.

    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.