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Lemay-Americas Car Museum

EIN 91-1867848 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The LeMay America's Car Museum preserves and interprets the history and technology of the automobile and its influence on American culture. The museum is dedicated to securing and interpreting the valuable LeMay Collection and to acquiring, preserving and interpreting additional artifacts that explore broad themes of American mobility and lifestyle in an instructive and entertaining manner.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
46
Volunteers
107
Highest pay
$365,722, vice chair & ceo,aat

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    37 of 39 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. $335,519 spent. Guest Services: The Museum creates an active, involved and social environment for car enthusiasts. It provides engaging and entertaining exhibitions for a broad spectrum of the community. To enhance the visitor experience, the Museum offers racing simulators and slot car driving. Attendance in 2024 = 90,000.
  2. $508,550 spent. Collection and Exhibitions: The Museum is dedicated to secure and interpret the extensive LeMay car collection as well as to acquire, preserve and interpret additional mobility collections. There are approximately 260 cars in the collection. The Museum breaks the traditional design of static displays of cars by rotating exhibitions from its vast collection and showcasing auto manufacturers' achievements and future directions in design, technology and product development. The Museum opened 2 exhibits in 2024.
  3. $273,080 spent. Education: An interactive center for all "students" of automotive history, restoration and preservation. During 2024, the Museum continued to increase its number of education activities, such as hosting 3,000 third graders to the Museum. It has established itself as a valuable resource for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and homeschooling communities and positioned itself as a central hub for STEM/STEAM learning.
  4. $2.7 million spent. The remaining programs primarily include the following: Event Sales - Patrons unable to attend the Museum during normal operating hours are offered the opportunity to view the collection during an after-hours event or group tour; and Retail Store - Selling various types of merchandise that relate to the Museum's exhibitions and collection. In 2025, it is planned to launch an online store.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 March 1998.

    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 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.