Old Red Courthouse Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of the Old Red Courthouse is to inspire and educate people of any age within reach with cultural, economic, political and social history of the Dallas County area. The Museum showcases the various cultures that have created the International City that Dallas is today.
- Income
- $350,938
- Spending
- $250,812
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Highest pay
- $68,750, 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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 70% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $149,362 spent. First accomplishment -interactive Galleries that tell the incredible story of the City of Dallas and Dallas County, from its native history and first settlers to present day. Historically, Old Red had preserved and maintained thousands of irreplaceable artifacts, photographs, and documents. The museum was frequently host to Academic Scholars seeking insightful interaction with local history, social study and History teachers in more than 50 area independent school districts relied on Old Red as the research and teaching facility to help them bring the past to life for more thank 15,000 school students annually. The museum historically had served another 18,000 museum visitors. The museum was offering 11 history Labs focusing on Architecture, artifacts, Dallas-area inventions, transportation and the Justice System. We have now entered a new era with our new contract with the County of Dallas. We are building, for the County itself as the owners, brand new programs for virtual access and setting up a new virtual museum, along with a small in person exhibit, to be free to the public - continuing our focus on the rich History of the city of Dallas and Dallas County.
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on January 15, 2023 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on January 15, 2023.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.