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Historical Society of Seattle & King County

EIN 91-0513034 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Collect and preserve the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region and beyond. Highlighting innovation and education, MOHAI enriches lives by sharing the individual and collective stories of our communities.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
70
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$214,852, executive dir.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $6.3 million spent. The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) is treasured locally and respected nationally as a vibrant resource where history inspires people to be their best, individually and collectively. The museum is located in Lake Union Park, in the South Lake Union Area of Seattle, Washington.MOHAI is the largest private heritage organization in the state of Washington. By collecting and preserving artifacts and stories of the Puget Sound Region's diverse history, MOHAI highlights the region's tradition of innovation and imagination. Through compelling exhibits, scholarship, education, public programs, and community engagement, MOHAI bridges the past, present, and future.
  2. In 2024, MOHAI welcomed more than 107,000 visitors and participants through a robust calendar of exhibits, programs, and community events. Highlights included major exhibitions such asRoots of Wisdom(developed with the Smithsonian Institution and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry [OMSI]),Pulling Together, and the international blockbuster LEGO exhibition that set new attendance records. MOHAI also marked milestone anniversaries with exhibitions celebrating the Seattle Junior League, Seattle Pride, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the WTO protests, as well as the debut of(Almost) An Exhibit, honoring the local television show Almost Live.
  3. More than 60 percent of attendees received free or significantly reduced admission, including all youth under the age of fifteen who receive free admission every day at MOHAI, students, seniors, and military members, and visitors to MOHAI through one of our admission-accessibility programs, like TeenTix, Museums for All, the Library Museum Pass program, the MOHAI Access Pass, Free First Thursday, and the Open Doors program. MOHAI also expanded scholarship support and free transportation for school groups, broadened digital access to programs, and maintained a strong media presence across traditional and digital platforms. Through these efforts, the museum remained committed to equity, accessibility, and sharing Seattles diverse stories with the community and beyond.
  4. MOHAI's offerings for youth include on-site museum field trips, artifact trunk rentals, in-class programs, teacher trainings, and online lesson plans to help teachers introduce students to local history, as well as summer camps for kids. MOHAI's offerings for adults and families include guided programs in the museum and in Seattle neighborhoods, as well as lectures and talks on local history, and seasonal festivities and programs in the museum's lakeside setting in Lake Union Park. Visitors to Lake Union Park are welcomed free of charge to MOHAI's restrooms, caf, and retail shop throughout the year.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.