Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Preservation Austin

EIN 74-6060685 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRESERVATION AUSTIN EXISTS TO EMPOWER AUSTINITES TO SHAPE A MORE INCLUSIVE, RESILIENT, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CULTURE THROUGH PRESERVATION.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$723,104
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
4
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$113,471, executive di

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $373,246 spent. ANNUAL PROGRAMMING CULTIVATES COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR PRESERVING AUSTIN'S HISTORIC PLACES. THE SPRING HOMES TOUR SHOWCASES 21ST CENTURY LIVING IN HISTORIC SPACES; THE PRESERVATION MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM CELEBRATES THE ADVOCATES SAVING, RESTORING, AND INTERPRETING OUR CITY'S HERITAGE; LEGACY BUSINESS MONTH SUPPORTS SMALL, ICONIC BUSINESSES THAT INFORM AUSTIN'S CULTURE; AND LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, AND TOURS ENGAGE AUSTINITES IN DIVERSE ASPECTS OF CULTURAL AND ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.
  2. $48,000 spent. ADVOCACY FOCUSES ON EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ABOUT POLICY ISSUES WITH BROAD IMPLICATIONS FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORTING PUBLIC FUNDING FOR HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEYS AND HERITAGE GRANTS; PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR HISTORIC ZONING EFFORTS; SITE-SPECIFIC ADVOCACY TO ENCOURAGE PRESERVATION OF THREATENED BUILDINGS; AND MORE.
  3. $12,000 spent. TANGIBLE IMPACTS ON THE CITY INCLUDE PRESERVATION AUSTIN'S MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION, BRICKS AND MORTAR, AND PLANNING/HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY/LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROJECTS. PRESERVATIONS AUSTIN MANAGES A PORTFOLIO OF PRESERVATION COVENANTS, WORKING WITH PROPERTY OWNERS TO STEWARD THEIR PIECE OF AUSTIN HISTORY. THE NONPROFIT PURCHASED THE STREAMLINE MODERNE MCFARLAND-MCBEE HOUSE IN 2019 AND COMPLETED REHABILITATION OF THIS NATIONAL REGISTER-LISTED CITY OF AUSTIN LANDMARK FOR PRESERVATION AUSTIN'S OFFICE, AND CENTER FOR ADVOCACY AND PROGRAMMING, IN 2026.

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 June 1955.

    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.