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Center for African American Military History Inc

EIN 76-0658661 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BSNM MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, PRESERVE, PROMOTE AND PERPETUATE THE HISTORY, TRADITION, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN BUFFALO SOLDIERS FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO PRESENT.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
8

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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 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. EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS - THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM CONDUCTED EDUCATIONAL GROUP TOURS THAT TAKE VISITORS ON A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY. THE BSNM USES HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENTS TO GIVE A REAL LIFE FIRST-HAND LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS AND OTHER HISTORICAL FIGURES OF OUR PAST. THE BSNM HOSTED SEVERS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, PROVIDED TRAVELING DISPLAYS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND SENIOR GROUPS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PARADES, HISTORICAL LECTURES, VETERANS' INITIATIVE AND OTHER SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS - THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM CONDUCTED EDUCATIONAL GROUP TOURS THAT TAKE VISITORS ON A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY. THE BSNM USES HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENTS TO GIVE A REAL LIFE FIRST-HAND LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS AND OTHER HISTORICAL FIGURES OF OUR PAST. THE BSNM HOSTED SEVERS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, PROVIDED TRAVELING DISPLAYS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND SENIOR GROUPS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PARADES, HISTORICAL LECTURES, VETERANS' INITIATIVE AND OTHER SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS.
  3. EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS - THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM CONDUCTED EDUCATIONAL GROUP TOURS THAT TAKE VISITORS ON A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY. THE BSNM USES HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENTS TO GIVE A REAL LIFE FIRST-HAND LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS AND OTHER HISTORICAL FIGURES OF OUR PAST. THE BSNM HOSTED SEVERS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, PROVIDED TRAVELING DISPLAYS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND SENIOR GROUPS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PARADES, HISTORICAL LECTURES, VETERANS' INITIATIVE AND OTHER SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.