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Mccreary County Heritage Foundation Inc

EIN 61-1136227 · Stearns, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE THE HERITAGE OF MCCREARY COUNTY, KENTUCKY AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL BENEFITS TO THE CITIZENS AND VISITORS OF MCCREARY COUNTY.

Income
$6.7 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
39.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
33
Volunteers
200

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

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 266% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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

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. $612,050 spent. THE FOUNDATION OPERATES THE BIG SOUTH FORK SCENIC RAILWAY. THE TRAIN TRAVELS DOWN INTO THE BIG SOUTH FORK RIVER VALLEY AWAY FROM CIVILIZATION, ALONG ROARING MOUNTAIN STREAMS, THROUGH A TUNNEL, AND ALONG STEEP CLIFF SIDES. IT FINALLY ENTERS THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA JUST BELOW BARTHELL, THE OLDEST COAL CAMP ON THE RAILROAD, WHICH TRACES ITS BEGINNINGS BACK TO 1902. THE TRAIN MAKES A STOPOVER AT BLUE HERON, WHICH IS THE SITE OF A MINE, TIPPLE, AND SURROUNDING CAMP HOUSES WHICH WERE ABONDONED IN 1962. THERE, THE VISITORS CAN TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR. OVER 13500 PASSENGERS EXPERIENCED LIFE IN A COAL CAMP.
  2. $175,775 spent. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OPERATES THE STEARNS HISTORIC GOLF COURSE. THE GOLF COURSE WAS BUILT CIRCA 1920. IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST GOLF COURSES IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY. THE COURSE HOSTED OVER 6000 ROUNDS OF GOLF
  3. $28,093 spent. THE FOUNDATION ALSO MANAGES A MUSEUM, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DISTRICT OF STEARNS, KY. IT IS HOUSED IN THE OLD STEARNS COAL AND LUMBER COMPANY CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS THAT WAS BUILT IN 1907.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 June 1988.

    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.