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Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and the Captain Michael King Smith

EIN 93-1069203 · Mcminnville, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

INSPIRE A COMMUNITY FOR INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY, PRESERVE AEROSPACE HISTORY, AND HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
61
Volunteers
185
Highest pay
$198,979, former ceo

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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $3.8 million spent. THE EVERGREEN AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM HOUSES THE HUGHES H-4 HERCULES, BETTER KNOWN AS THE SPRUCE GOOSE, ACCREDITED BY THE ASME AS THE 219TH HISTORICAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LANDMARK. IT IS NOW LISTED ON THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICES REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, FURTHER RECOGNIZING ITS HISTORICAL AND ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE. THE MUSEUM HOSTED 122,736 VISITORS IN 2024, WORKING TOWARD OUR GOAL OF HELPING TO INFORM AND ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY. OUR MUSEUM IS A SMITHSONIAN AFFILIATE AND WORKING TOWARD ACCREDITATION WITH THE AAM (AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS). WITH A MISSION TO INSPIRE A COMMUNITY FOR INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY, PRESERVE AEROSPACE HISTORY, AND HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE. WE DISPLAY 151 EXHIBITS THAT DEPICT AND PRESERVE AROSPACE HISTORY
  2. $8,552 spent. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM HOSTED MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS, ATTENDING OUR HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH (STEAM). OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFER SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR KIDS TO JOIN US FROM HOME OR IN PERSON, INCLUDING WEEKLY SCHEDULED EVENTS, SUMMER CAMPS, SCOUTS PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS, MUSEUM @ HOME, AND A THEATER. OUR MUSEUM TOURS PROGRAM OFFERS VISITORS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR OUR MUSEUM WITH OUR EXPERT DOCENTS AND VOLUNTEERS, OF WHOM MANY ARE VETERAN PILOTS THEMSELVES AND CAN OFFER FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE AND STORIES.
  3. $3,831 spent. OUR RESTORATION PROGRAM HONORS OUR VETERANS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AND RESTORE HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT. IT DISPLAYS PLANES IN VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION, INCLUDING COMPLETELY RESTORED, AND NEEDING ASSEMBLY & FABRICATION. IT GIVES OUR VISITORS A UNIQUE VIEW OF THE RESTORATION PROCESS AND WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CARING HARD WORK OF PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS.

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 1997.

    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.