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Summit Historical Society

EIN 84-0590891 · Dillon, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT, PROVIDE EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION, AND ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY IN THE RICH HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Income
$270,742
Spending
$201,079
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
43.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
4
Volunteers
54
Highest pay
$69,498, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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

    6 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, 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 (2)
  1. $109,880 spent. SHS BRINGS SUMMIT COUNTY HISTORY TO LIFE AT OUR BUILDINGS LIKE THE 1883 DILLON SCHOOLHOUSE AND 1885 HOMESTEAD CABIN ON THE DILLON CAMPUS, AND THE 1919 RICE FAMILY BARN IN SUMMIT COVE. THE SHS COLLECTION IS COMPOSED OF OVER 8,000 ARTIFACTS AND INCLUDES HISTORICAL LETTERS, BUSINESS LEDGERS, MAPS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND MANY PHYSICAL OBJECTS.
  2. $28,818 spent. SHS OFFERS VARIOUS YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. SCHOOL- AGE PROGRAMS ARE LED BY SHS EDUCATORS AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: UTE KNOWLEDGE OF STEM, LIFE IN 1900, AND RANCHING IN SUMMIT COUNTY. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE LECTURE AND VIDEO SESSIONS; AND HISTORICAL BOAT TOURS ON LAKE DILLON DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 November 1970.

    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.