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Passes our checks

Restore Oregon Inc

EIN 93-0697099 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RESTORE OREGON'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER OREGONIANS TO REIMAGINE AND TRANSFORM THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH PRESERVATION AND REUSE OF HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PLACES

Income
$650,476
Spending
$510,959
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
12.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
11
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$105,241, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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, 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. $22,166 spent. ADVOCATES FOR SOUND PRESERVATION POLICIES AND INCENTIVES AND PROVIDES TESTIMONY ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. PROVIDES CONSULTATION AND RESPONDS TO REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FIELD.
  2. $254,026 spent. PRODUCES AND DELIVERS INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ITS BENEFITS TO COMMUNITIES IN THE FORM OF LIVABILITY, CULTURAL HERITAGE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND JOB CREATION. SERVES AS A HUB FOR PRESERVATION INFORMATION FOR OREGON, PRODUCING AN ONLINE NEWSROOM, PRESERVATION STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATE, CALENDAR OF EVENTS, AND ADVOCACY ALERTS. CONDUCTS TOURS OF HISTORIC PLACES, FROM THE PIONEER TO THE MODERN ERAS, INCLUDING A MID-CENTURY MODERN HOME TOUR TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF THE HISTORIC PLACES THAT TELL OUR STORY.
  3. $42,204 spent. WORKS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO OREGON'S MOST ENDANGERED PLACES, PROVIDING CONSULTATION, ADVOCACY, AND SEED GRANTS TOWARDS THEIR PRESERVATION AND REUSE. AMONG THE CURRENT MOST ENDANGERED PLACES IS THE BILLY WEBB ELKS LODGE IN THE ALBINA NEIGHBORHOOD OF PORTLAND, WHERE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES WERE FOCUSED IN ADDITION TO THE GATES SCHOOLHOUSE, WALDRON DRUG AND RURAL THEATERS.
  4. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ACTIVITES (RELATED TO 990 PART III, PART IV, AND PART VI) THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR A PROJECT TO PRESERVE A HISTORIC BUILDING. UNDER THE MODEL A (COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL SPONSORSHIP) ARRANGEMENT, THE ORGANIZATION RETAINS FULL LEGAL, FINANCIAL, AND FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SPONSORED PROJECT. ALL DONATIONS AND GRANTS FOR THE SPONSORED PROJECT ARE MADE PAYABLE TO THE ORGANIZATION AND REPORTED AS REVENUE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990. THE ORGANIZATION ENSURES THAT ALL FUNDS ARE EXPENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DONOR INTENT AND THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. THE ORGANIZATION EXERCISES DISCRETION AND CONTROL OVER THE USE OF ALL FUNDS AND PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT, INCLUDING ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING SERVICES. EACH FISCAL SPONSORSHIP RELATIONSHIP IS GOVERNED BY A WRITTEN AGREEMENT OUTLINING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH THE SPONSOR AND THE PROJECT. SPONSORED PROJECTS ARE NOT SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITIES; RATHER, THEY OPERATE AS INITIATIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION UNDER ITS EIN AND TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. THE ORGANIZATION CHARGES AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO COVER THE COST OF MANAGING THE PROJECT, AND SUCH FEES ARE REPORTED AS PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE.

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 November 1978.

    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.