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Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation

EIN 94-3226801 · Alameda, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION PRESERVES AND HONORS THE LEGACY OF THE USS HORNET, A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, AND ITS ROLE IN NAVAL AVIATION, THE DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY, THE APOLLO PROGRAMS, AND EXPLORATION OF SPACE. THE USS HORNET CONNECTS THE GREATEST GENERATION OF AMERICANS WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS, EDUCATING AND INSPIRING THEM TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THEY WILL FACE IN THE DAYS TO COME.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
80
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$95,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $1.0 million spent. THE USS HORNET IS A VINTAGE WWII AIRCRAFT CARRIER. MAINTAINING SUCH A LARGE SHIP IN GOOD ORDER IS COSTLY. MOREOVER, THE SHIP OPERATES AS A MUSEUM, SERVING THE PUBLIC; CONSEQUENTLY, THERE ARE MANY LOCAL INSPECTIONS DESIGNED TO SECURE PUBLIC SAFETY. MAINTAINING THE SHIP/MUSEUM IS AN ONGOING PROJECT.
  2. $624,852 spent. PUBLIC PROGRAMS MAINLY ENCOMPASSES THE LIVE ABOARD PROGRAM WHICH SERVES SINGLES OR GROUPS FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS ON THE SHIP, AS WELL AS BIRTHDAY PARTIES. EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN ACCORDANCE WITH STEM.
  3. $954,040 spent. PRIVATE EVENTS ARE USUALLY LARGE GROUP OR CORPORATE EVENTS. COMMUNITY EVENTS ARE PROGRAMS TO CAPTURE LARGE GROUPS OF VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM ON IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS SUCH AS THE 4TH OF JULY OR MEMORIAL DAY, ETC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 December 1995.

    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.