Koshare Indian Museum Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 145 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE KOSHARE INDIAN MUSEUM, INC.S MISSION IS TO PRESERVE AND DEMONSTRATE THE INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF SOUTHWEST INDIANS AND TO TEACH THE YOUTH AND GENERAL PUBLIC OF SOUTHERN COLORADO AS WELL AS AROUND THE NATION ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN SKILLS AND HERITAGE.
- Income
- $89,322
- Spending
- $112,369
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 42.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 55%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 55
- Highest pay
- $50,000, manger
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 42.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 145 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
10 of 10Gave 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.
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, 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 (2)
- $26,963 spent. THE KOSHARE INDIAN MUSEUM, INC. SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF SOUTHWEST NATIVE INDIAN TRIBES. THE MUSEUM DISPLAYS MANY ARTIFACTS CRAFTED BY INDIAN TRIBES AS WELL AS NATIVE AMERICAN ART CREATED BY VARIOUS WELL KNOWN ARTISTS THAT HAVE NATIVE AMERICAN ROOTS. MANY INDIAN TRIBES ARE REPRESENTED AND THE MUSEUM IS CONTINOUSLY DEDICATED TO EXPANDING ITS COLLECTION. THE DISPLAYS REQUIRE CONSTANT MAINTENANCE THAT INCLUDES CLEANING AND CLIMATE CONTROL TO PRESERVE THE DELICATE ASPECTS OF THE ITEMS FROM DEGREDATION OVER TIME. NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN AMERICAS DEVELOPMENT. IT IS THE MUSEUMS PRIME OBJECTIVE TO MAKE SURE THE INDIAN WAY OF LIFE AND ITS INFLUENCE IS AVAILABLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
- $32,092 spent. THE PRESERVATION OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURE IS PERSONIFIED IN THE YOUTH PROGRAM OF THE KOSHARE ORGANIZATION OPERATED THROUGH THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP ASSOCIATED WITH THE KOSHARE INDIAN MUSEUM, INC. AND KIVA. THE TROOP MEMBERS ARE DEDICATED TO LEARNING ABOUT THE INDIAN WAY OF LIFE BY LEARNING INDIAN LANGUAGES, CRAFTING INDIAN EVERY DAY AND CEREMONIAL CLOTHING AS WELL AS MASTERING THE ART OF INDIAN DANCE AND COMMUNICATION. THE INFORMATION LEARNED IS DEMONSTRATED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH PERFORMANCES CONDUCTED DURING THE YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on February 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 2024.
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 March 1969.
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 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.