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The Hermitage Museum and Gardens

EIN 81-3329080 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HERMITAGE MUSEUM AND GARDENS PRESERVES THE DISTINCT BEAUTY OF ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT; CONSERVES AND SHARES ITS MULTI-CULTURAL COLLECTION; PROMOTES AND EDUCATES TO INSPIRE AN APPRECIATION FOR ART AND NATURE; AND CULTIVATES A SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP WHILE PAYING TRIBUTE TO ITS RICH LEGACY.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
42
Volunteers
97
Highest pay
$153,823, executive 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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $142,750 spent. CURATORIAL & INTERPRETATIONS INCLUDES EXHIBITIONS OF THE COLLECTION AS WELL AS CURATED EXHIBITIONS BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS.
  2. $284,384 spent. MUSEUM PROGRAMS INCLUDES PUBLIC EVENTS SUCH AS THE SUNSETS ON THE RIVER CONCERT SERIES, INSTRUMENTAL RECITALS, THEATRE PERFORMANCES IN THE MUSEUM, ROAST & TOAST, GYMKHANA, THE HERMITAGE HANDMADE FESTIVAL AND THE PLANT SALE.
  3. $1.2 million spent. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AN ART MUSEUM, HISTORIC HOUSE, AND GARDENS FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING ART PROGRAMS AND INSTRUCTION.

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 October 13, 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 December 2016.

    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 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.