Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission Inc

EIN 74-2773168 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Organization works with the Texas Historical Commission to preserve and protect the real places and real stories of Texas and all Texans, securing philanthropic resources to ensure a lasting legacy for future generations.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
22.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$148,688, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (3)
  1. $520,804 spent. 2025 Annual Conference: Real Places: Preserving Historic Texas. The 2025 Annual Conference was presented in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission. The conference provided opportunities to learn from and network with professional staff, volunteers, and supporters of historic preservation and heritage tourism. Attendees included county historical commissions, Main Street managers and board members, historic preservation officers and design review boards, architects and engineers, historians, archaeologists, curators, interpreters, managers of museums and historic sites, as well as THC staff, Texas Heritage Trail Regions, and other partner agencies. The conference provides continuing education, exhibits of interest and networking through speakers and workshops.
  2. $330,146 spent. Other projects to support the Texas Historical Commission's core mission of preservation, stewardship, and place-based, experiential learning. The Organization continues to work on projects that address core programmatic initiatives- enhancing the visitor experience through capital projects, creating education opportunities and resources for students and visitors, and building preservation capacity through stewardship.
  3. $213,619 spent. Protecting historic sites across the State - The Texas Historical Commission preserves and operates 36 historic sites throughout the state. The Organization supports the preservation of these sites and helps raise the funds and awareness to make preservation, restoration, and interpretation possible. The Organization previously acquired a property adjacent to the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Site (SHS) and sold the property to THC at cost; acquired an additional property adjacent to the Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS for future sale to THC at cost; began the community facilitation and advisory planning for future development and operation of new facilities at the Levi Jordon Plantation SHS; continued the architectural and engineering design work for the Phase II Education Center at Caddo Mounds SHS; and made critical repairs to the Fort Martin Scott SHS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 April 1996.

    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.