Elcho Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A community-based organization with a collaborative and dedicated mission in collecting, preserving and sharing the history of Elcho, Wisconsin and the surrounding communities. The museum will house historical artifacts. There are plans for sections in the museum to highlight our local logging and railroad history, local veterans who served in the armed forces, the relationship with local settlers with our Native American ancestral neighbors and a display of historical chainsaws. Future generations will experience rotating and interactive exhibits.
- Income
- $60,928
- Spending
- $37,148
- Reserves
- 22.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 (3)
- $29,523 spent. Restoration began on the historic building that was gifted to the Elcho Historical Society to house a museum dedicated to reflecting the rich past of Elcho Wisconsin and surrounding communities. In 2022 the building was raised up and a full basement was dug out. Also the existing three layers of roofing were removed and a new roof was installed. In 2023 the front wall was restored to its original appearance, electricity and a new furnace were installed. In 2024 the windows were replaced, insulation installed, interior was replastered, caulked and painted. In 2025 handicapped accessible decks and ramps were installed and exhibit displays were created & installed.
- $2,164 spent. Completed the publication of a semi-annual newsletter. 750 copies of each newsletter were printed. These newsletters were mailed to current Society members with the remaining newsletters distributed to residents of Elcho Wisconsin and the surrounding communities.
- $1,053 spent. Collected and preserved hundreds of artifacts and documents that represent the history of our local community and surrounding areas. These artifacts and documents were collected and preserved by our membership. These members volunteered their time towards this collection and preservation endeavor.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.