Passes our checks

Benton County Historical Society

EIN 71-0531085 · Bentonville, AR

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 299% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 0% 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no 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

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

Programs described in its return (1)

$56,123 spent. A GOAL FOR 2025 WAS TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNTYS EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE VAST RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE. IT HAS MET WITH GREAT SUCCESS. WE HAVE ASSISTED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AS FOLLOWS: 1) OLD HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTED TEACHER WORKING ON CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION DEGREE. 2) BENTONVILLE WEST ASSIST TO STUDENT WORKING ON HER HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECT AND APPLICATION FOR U OF A. 3) ROGERS ART ACADEMY EAST STUDENTS WISHING TO DO HISTORICAL HANDS ON HISTORICAL PROJECT. 4) NWACC EIGHT STUDENTS DOING LAND AND TAX RECORD RESEARCH, TWO CONTINUE TO VOLUNTEER. 5) BENTONVILLE HIGH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM STUDENTS. WROTE APPLICATION AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING OLD POST OFFICE ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. PARTNERED WITH CITY OF BENTONVILLE TO PRODUCE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORICAL SITE MAP FOR VISITING PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 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 December 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 February 1981.
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.