Aviation Heritage Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Aviation Heritage Foundation, Inc. seeks to conserve, interpret, develop, and promote the historic resources of the National Aviation Heritage Alliance.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $973,105
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 14.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 52%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $109,615, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2535 of 35 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (1)
- $927,578 spent. To promote interest in flight training, aerospace research, and other educational programs by supporting STEM programs and involvement in the SOAR program (Students Open to Aviation Research), to encourage young people toward science, engineering, and math careers, offering of flight scholarship coordination with other historical preservation entities in the country and area. Emphasis is on strategic planning and marketing to promote Daytons historic and future roles in aviation and aerospace, and expand its scope to the national and international levels. Support of organizations that are erecting monuments at strategic visual locations, developing a brand for the area, signage throughout Ohio, and a presence at key air and trade shows throughout the country. Providing support with partners to maintain Wright Brothers home, fund building of Wright Brothers replica airplanes and models. To work with City of Dayton for restoration and use of original Wright factory site as museum. Also taking a leading role in development of historic area program planning and strategic development including funding feasibility studies toward growth that makes most effective use of public funding. To educate and inform the public about the historic and scientific achievements of the Wright Brothers and their contemporaries for the Dayton area. Includes support of achival information held at a nearby university. To preserve the Wright Brothers home and artifacts while making it available to the public for educational tours. To educate and inform the public about the historic and scientific achievements of the Wright Brothers and their contemporaries for the Dayton area. To develop and maintain the connection to other local sites such as Huffman Prairie Air Testing Grounds, aircraft factories, labs and other developments of their time that are such a large part of Dayton area and national heritage.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 September 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 November 2003.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Heritage Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 23-7327730. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.