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Fort Chadbourne Foundation

EIN 75-2804188 · Bronte, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC FORT CHADBOURNE SITE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC FOR CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

Income
$210,989
Spending
$352,501
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$47,520, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $288,417 spent. FORT CHADBOURNE FDN INITIATED PROGRAMS TO RAISE FUNDS TO PRESERVE & RESTORE THIS HISTORIC SITE FOR THE PUBLIC. THE STABILIZATION PROJECT AND THE RESTORATION AND REBUILDING OF THE FORT BUILDINGS CONTINUES. THE FORT AND ITS MUSEUM/VISITOR CENTER ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE TO INCREASE AWARENESS & EDUCATE. LOCAL AND AREA SCHOOLS, GROUPS SUCH AS 4H, JROTC, BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THE MUSEUM FOR FIELD TRIPS WHICH INCLUDES HANDS-ON TOURS. IT IS ALSO OPEN TO SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS, CHURCH GROUPS, CLUBS AND TOUR BUSES.
  2. FCF HAS A COLLECTION OF MEDALS OF HONOR AS PART OF ITS MILITARY HISTORY PROGRAM. THE FCF HOST AN ANNUAL "EVENING WITH A HERO" MEDAL OF HONOR DINNER EACH MAY. A MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT IS PRESENT TO MEET AND GREET, AND SPEAK TO MANY OF THE LOCAL AND AREA VETERANS. ACTIVE MILITARY IS INVITED FROM LOCAL BASES. FIRST RESPONDERS ATTEND AND THE EVENT IS A THANK YOU TO ALL THE MILITARY AND VETERANS. THE EVENT INCLUDES MEETING THE RECIPIENT ALONG WITH DINNER. IT IS THE ONLY MEDAL OF HONOR EVENT OF ITS KIND IN THIS AREA.
  3. FCF HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS MEDAL OF HONOR GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL MONUMENT WAS BUILT ON SITE TO HONOR THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE WHILE SERVING OUR COUNTRY. IT STANDS NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF THE FCF MUSEUM AND IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING DURING OPERATIONAL HOURS. FCF WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN RAISING MONEY TO GET SIGNAGE AND A DESIGNATION FOR A GOLD STAR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY THRU TEXAS DOT FROM BRONTE, TX TO HISTORIC FORT CHADBOURNE TO HONOR OUR GOLD STAR FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 2004.

    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.