Passes our checks

German Heritage Society

EIN 91-1319233 · Seattle, WA

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

What it says it does

Support of seniors, meeting place for friends, members, guests, choir and dance practice, concerts and preserve a historic building, built in 1886.

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

Fair: 68 out of 100.

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 31.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 15
53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Weak: 38 out of 100.

Independent board
5 of 25
0 of 9 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
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$99,958 spent. The German House is available to many different groups. Some of these groups are over 100 years old. Some of these groups are not members of the German Heritage Society. All of these groups keep separate records of their own revenue and expenses. Some of our members come as far away as Lacey, Olympia, Birch Bay, Tacoma, etc. and one member even comes from Vancouver, Canada. One of the reasons why we have so few young members is the law not to have children at an event when we serve beer and wine. If we cannot bring children on a regular basis to the German House, very seldom will they come when these children are adults. Our main goal is to collect enough money for the German House to make our historic building built in 1886 earthquake proof. We also installed a stairlift because most of our members are older than 70 years old. Also, 70 of our members, friends and guests are women. Theses structural improvements are necessary to make the building structurally sound, so members can safely use the facility.

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

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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 December 2025.
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 October 1987.
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 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.