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Heritage Association of San Marcos Inc

EIN 74-1907674 · San Marcos, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE PERPETUATION OF LOCAL TRADITIONS THAT BEAUTIFY AND ENRICH THE CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY LIFE OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS.

Income
$71,677
Spending
$52,138
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
48.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
17

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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.

  • 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, 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. $19,431 spent. EACH FRIDAY THE COTTAGE KITCHEN IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM UNTIL 1 PM AT THE CHARLES S COCK HOUSE MUSEUM. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS PREPARE AND SERVE HOME COOKED LUNCH FOR 7. PROCEEDS FROM THE LUNCHEONS ARE COLLECTED BY THE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION AND ONE-HALF OF THESE FUNDS ARE USED FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE COCK HOUSE. REMAINING PROCEEDS FUND OTHER PROJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
  2. $7,121 spent. THE TOUR OF HOMES IS HELD EACH YEAR ON THE FIRST WEEKEND IN MAY. LOCALS AS WELL AS VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE ARE INVITED TO TOUR UNIQUE, AND OFTEN HISTORIC, HOMES IN SAN MARCOS.
  3. $21,650 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR THE PUBLIC, MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS WITH AN EDUCATIONAL FOCUS, AND MEMBERSHIP DRIVES. BEAUTIFICATION OF VERAMENDI PARK IS OVERSEEN EACH YEAR BY THE ASSOCIATION'S RIVERWALK PARK COMMITTEE. PROJECTS INCLUDE THE PLANTING OF TREES, REPAIRS TO THE PARK'S GAZEBO, INSTALLATION OF PARK BENCHES AND TRASH CANS, AND SALES OF PERSONALIZED BRICKS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE PARK. THE CHARLES S. COCK HOUSE, THE ELI T. MERRIMAN CABIN, AND THE GWEN SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN ARE AMONG THE SITES LOCATED ON THE PARK GROUNDS.

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 October 1975.

    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.