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Historical Society of Pomona Valley

EIN 95-2143371 · Pomona, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak42 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE THE RICH AND DIVERSE HISTORY OF THE POMONA VALLEY A MEANINGFUL PART OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. THE POMONA VALLEY AND THE CITY OF POMONA IN PARTICULAR HAVE A RICH AND INTERESTING HISTORY, AND THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF POMONA VALLEY IS PROUD TO SHARE IT WITH THE PUBLIC. WE PROTECT AND PRESERVE IMPORTANT HISTORIC SITES,RECORDS, AND ARTIFACTS AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE AREA'S HISTORY.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$635,967
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
17.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 86%
Employees
8
Volunteers
30

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 738% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 42 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (3)
  1. $131,868 spent. ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2024 INCLUDE 4TH SCHOOL TOURS FOR PUSD AND BONITA UNIFIED, PLUS A SMATTERING OF STUDENTS FROM SAN BERNARDINO TOTALING 3,0000 STUDENTS. DOCENT HOURS FOR THIS ACTIVITY ARE INCLUDED ABOVE. WE CONDUCT PUBLIC TOURS AT AT LEAST ONE OF OUR SITES EACH SUNDAY.
  2. $44,992 spent. E-BELL FIRE RECOVERY.WE SURVIVED A FIRE AT THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND DID NOT LOSE THE WHOLE COMPLEX. AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER FIRE, WE BEGAN 24/7 SECURITY TO PROTECT THE BUILDING UNTIL ELECTRICITY COULD BE RESTORED TO THE ALARMS. THE COMMUNITY WAS GENEROUS WITH ITS TIME WHEN HELPING US RESCUE ARTIFACTS, DRY THEM OUT, CONSERVE THEM AND PLACE THESE ITEMS IN BOXES. VOLUNTEERS HELPED US MOVE OUT OF PARTS OF THE BUILDING WE HAD NOT PLANNED ON.
  3. $436,744 spent. E-BELL REVIVAL FUND FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC BUILDING. IN SEPTEMBER, 2024 WE BEGAN A REPAIR PROJECT THAT INCLUDED PAINTING AND PLASTER REPAIR IN THE BALLROOM, REFINISHED FLOORS, NEW STAGE CURTAINS AND NEW DRAPES AND UPDATING ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING. WE BEGAN WORK ON A NEW FOUNDATION. THIS PART PROJECT WAS SPREAD OVER OCTOBER TO END OF FEBRUARY, 2025.

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 October 13, 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 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 April 1969.

    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 October 21, 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.