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Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Inc

EIN 74-2139150 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRESERVATION HOUSTON PROMOTES THE PRESERVATION AND APPRECIATION OF HOUSTON'S ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORIC RESOURCES THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND COMMITTED ACTIONS CREATING ECONOMIC VALUE.

Income
$645,072
Spending
$552,319
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
3
Volunteers
185

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

Strong: 96 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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 (5)
  1. $183,560 spent. HISTORIC PRESERVATION EDUCATION: PRESERVATION HOUSTON OFFERS A RANGE OF PROGRAMS TO PROTECT, CELEBRATE, AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOUSTON'S HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES. THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS PUBLIC TOURS, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL GOOD BRICK TOUR, AND PROVIDES LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, DIGITAL PROGRAMS, AND PRESENTATIONS ON PRESERVATION BEST PRACTICES AND LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.
  2. $165,173 spent. PRESERVATION SERVICES: PRESERVATION HOUSTON PROVIDES TECHNICAL GUIDANCE, ADVOCACY SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO PROPERTY OWNERS, DEVELOPERS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS, FOSTERING A COALITION OF PRESERVATIONISTS AND BUILDING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF PRESERVING HOUSTON'S BUILT HERITAGE. PRESERVATION HOUSTON ADVOCATES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS.
  3. $13,281 spent. GOOD BRICK TOUR: THIS ANNUAL EVENT GIVES THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE OUTSTANDING AWARD-WINNING EXAMPLES OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
  4. $40,315 spent. MEMBERSHIP: PRESERVATION HOUSTON'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR YEAR-ROUND BENEFITS OF DISCOUNTED AND FREE PROGRAMS, AND INCLUDES A HOLIDAY PARTY AND ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING.
  5. $3,760 spent. PIER AND BEAM FUTURE LANDMARK AWARDS PRESENTATION: PRESERVATION HOUSTON'S NEXT GENERATION PRESERVATIONISTS SHARE A PASSION FOR HOUSTON'S ARCHITECTURE

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 November 6, 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 November 1980.

    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 November 4, 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.