Passes our checks

Northwest Schooner Society

EIN 94-3193786 · Seattle, WA

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

What it says it does

To preserve the vessels, facilities, and skills of the Northwest's Maritime Heritage.

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 71% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 280% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
99% 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
14 of 14 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.
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, 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 (2)

$22,216 spent. Restoration, maintenance, and operation of the historic Schooner Lavengro (a 100 year-old 63-foot wooden schooner). Training volunteers in the art of wooden boat maintenance, piloting, and safety on the water. Educating the public on the history and operation of the vessel via educational displays and charters. In 2025, the Schooner Lavengro operated free public sails every month, displayed the vessel with educational material at the Center for Wooden Boats year round, provided educational docenting, and trained members in rigging skills.
$60,885 spent. Restoration of the Burrows Island Lighthouse, keeper's homes, and surrounding grounds, for the preservation of maritime history, and eventual educational access by the public. Volunteers on the project learn to build using era-appropriate techniques and materials. Major 2025 accomplishments included improving foundations, installing a water system, significant repairs to windows, and the full transfer of the Lighthouse property over to the NWSS. The NWSS also trained volunteers, educated the public at the Port Townsend Farmers Market, gave multiple talks in Anacortes, and led 4 public tours of the property.

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 November 6, 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 November 1994.
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 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.