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Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area Inc

EIN 74-3082381 · Annapolis, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 32% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The mission of the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area is to stimulate preservation and economic development of the region by supporting and promoting its natural historic and cultural resources. Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is one of Maryland's 13 certified heritage areas. We are the only entity through which heritage-related nonprofit organizations and municipalities withing its borders are eligible for matching Maryland Heritage Areas authority (MHAA) grants and low interest business loans. Since certification, Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area has brought our area more than $6.9 million for heritage organizations and projects, including one low interest loan to a heritage tourism business, resulting in total leverage of $18 million for heritage organization and projects

Income
$222,856
Spending
$233,344
Spent on programs
32%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
3

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    32% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 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 (21)
  1. $31,573 spent. Other program related expenditures
  2. $3,000 spent. Annapolis 250 Celebration, Inc.- Brochure and map of major events and locations for Sesquicentennial in Annapolis and AA County. (Mini FY24)
  3. $3,000 spent. Asbury Broadneck UMC- Planning phase of project to preserve and share the legacy of the communities on the Broadneck Peninsula.(Mini FY24)
  4. $3,000 spent. Captain Avery Museum- Local exhibit component for Museums on Main Street touring exhibit, "Places of Innovation".(Mini FY24).
  5. $3,000 spent. Chesapeake Children's Museum, Inc.- Full day of programming for commemoration of 64th Anniversary of sit-in protest on site of modern-day Graduate Hotel.(Mini FY24).
  6. $3,000 spent. Chesapeake Arts Center- Upgrade of Activities for the Annual WAD event. (Mini FY24).
  7. $3,000 spent. Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation- Key aspects of this 2-part 25th Anniversary event, including public receptions and videography.(Mini FY24)
  8. $3,000 spent. Pride of Baltimore, Inc.- New interpretive program featuring the stories of black sailors on the Bay from 19th-C to modern times.(Mini FY24)
  9. $3,000 spent. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts- Performance, talks with the artist and free workshop for outreach Exclusive dance company. (Mini FY24)
  10. $2,500 spent. BDTM Foundation- MD250 Exhibit and program series "She Special." (Flex FY24)
  11. $2,000 spent. Historic Annapolis, Inc.- Livery representation of William Paca's valet, an enslaved individual. (Mini FY24)
  12. $1,750 spent. Captain Avery Museum- Buyboats to Beaches: 100 years of resiliency on the Chesapeake Bay.(Flex FY24)
  13. $1,750 spent. Hammond Harwood House- Restoration and conservation of 1806 Broadwood and son Fortepiano. (Flex FY24)
  14. $1,700 spent. Friends of Rising Sun Inn- New museum Exhibit: Women, home and a new nation, 1776-1875. (Flex FY24)
  15. $1,500 spent. Annapolis Greek Heritage- Businesses of the early 20th Century Greek Immigrants. (Flex FY24)
  16. $1,500 spent. One Annapolis, Inc.- One Annapolis 21st Century Community Learning Center. (Flex FY24)
  17. $1,500 spent. Ralph J. Bunche Community Center, Inc.- An interpretive journey through our history. (Flex FY24).
  18. $1,500 spent. Annapolis & Anne Arundel County- Visit guide for Marquis de Lafayette in Annapolis. (Flex FY24)
  19. $1,190 spent. Frederick Douglas Museum and Cultural Center- Virtual tour of the Museum;s exhibits to be shared on the website. (Mini FY24)
  20. $800 spent. Goshen Farm Preservation Society- Trifold Brochure update. (Flex FY24)
  21. $500 spent. Galesville Heritage Society- Assistance with unanticipated Archaelogical events. (Flex FY24).

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 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 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 October 2003.

    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.