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Early Ford V-8 Foundation Inc

EIN 94-3152163 · Auburn, IN

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION EXISTS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, EXHIBIT AND INTERPRET THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THE PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY BETWEEN 1932 AND 1953. SINCE MOVING THE ORGANIZATION TO INDIANA IN 2009 THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPAND NOT ONLY THE CAR COLLECTION BUT THE COLLECTION OF PRINTED MATERIAL, FILMS AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE WAS 8,000 SQ FT. WITH THE SIZE OF THE COLLECTION EXPANDING TO 37 - 40 CARS, THE ORGANIZATION IMPLEMENTED A PLAN BEGINNING IN JULY 2017 TO EXPAND THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 25,000 SQ FT. THIS ADDITION WAS COMPLETED IN EARLY 2019 AND INCLUDES 10,000 SQ FT WHICH IS USED FOR A COLLECTION OF EIGHTEEN 1936 FORD AUTOMOBILES. THE ADDITION INCLUDES A 1940 FORD SERVICE GARAGE REPLICA. A 1/4 SCALE REPLICA OF THE FORD ROTUNDA AS FIRST DISPLAYED AT THE 1934 WORLD'S FAIR IN CHICAGO IS ALSO A HIGHLIGHT OF THE ADDITION. IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED COSTRUCTION AND HAD A GRAND OPENIN

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$855,030
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-21 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
13
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$50,013, trustee

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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 245% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $672,184 spent. DURING 2023, 4,936 VISITORS TOURED THE MUSEUM. OF THIS AMOUNT, 2657 WERE PAID ADMISSIONS. THE REMAINING VISITORS CONSISTED OF LIFE OR ANNUAL MEMBERS, VARIOUS EVENTS AT THE MUSEUM WITH NO PAID ADMISSION REQUIRED.

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 October 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2001. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.