Western Trail Historical Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Western Trail Historical Society seeks to enable the Museum of the Western Prairie to be a driving force in the cultural life and economic development of our community by producing art exhibitions, concerts, and historical programs to enrich the intellectual and cultural lives of the residents of Southwest Oklahoma.
- Income
- $399,204
- Spending
- $413,519
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 22.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 100
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
Strong: 93 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 22.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% 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
Governance
Fair: 59 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 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 (4)
- $52,981 spent. Our robust programming and exhibit schedule is continually adjusted and refined to address community needs and wishes. Our programs bring talented performers and knowledgeable experts to our community to augment the talent and expertise in our community thereby increasing the impact of the programming by broadening the experience and knowledge of our community members. In essence, we provide programs that can only be experienced here, and we also endeavor to provide programs that are enjoyed in larger, better-served communities so that our local audiences will have the opportunity to experience the best offerings of their home community as well as the caliber of programs enjoyed in larger, better-served communities.
- $39,996 spent. In an effort to enhance our educational programming and companion exhibits with stories and items drawn from the museums collection, including artifacts, photographs, and resource, materials, we have undertaken a multi-year project to revamp the museums collection database and improve the care and storage of the collection. This project requires time from staff and volunteers as well as archival quality materials and scanners.
- $55,337 spent. We support the Museum of the Western Prairie to ensure that it is an integral part of life in Southwest Oklahoma. With the exception of the utilities, we cover all other museum-related costs each month ranging from light bulbs to lawn services to routine maintenance of the interior and exterior.
- $181,679 spent. These expenditures were in support of museum operations to assist the Oklahoma Historical Society in running maintaining the Museum of the Western Prairie.
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
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 April 1972.
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.