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Vista Ranchos Historical Society

EIN 95-3752966 · Vista, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VISTA RANCHOS HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS SPECIFICALLY CONCERNED WITH THE DISCOVERY,RECORDING, COLLECTING AND PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORICAL FACTS, PROPERTIES AND OTHER MATERIALS REGARDING THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES,PARTICULARLY THE SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF

Income
$127,749
Spending
$69,476
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
29.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
1
Volunteers
20

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.6 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 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 85% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 20 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $59,374 spent. THE VISTA RANCHOS HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS SPECIFICALLY CONCERNED WITH THE DISCOVERY,RECORDING, COLLECTING AND PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORICAL FACTS, PROPERTIES AND OTHER MATERIALS REGARDING THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATESPARTICULARLY THE SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF VISTA AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO. THE SOCIETY HAS APPROXIMATELY 400 MEMBERS AND A 11 MEMBER BOARD. PRESENTLY THERE ARE ARTIFACTS AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION, OBJECTS AND DOCUMENTS DISPLAYED IN THE MUSEUM FOR ALL TO SEE.THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF VISTA AND HAS ONE DOCENT ON STAFF WHO WORKS 20 HOURS PER WEEK. THE MUSEUM IS OPEN FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. WED,THURS., FRI., AND SAT. ADMISSION IS FREE. DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. A 30 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY FILM CALLED THE HISTORY OF VISTA, FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH SEVERAL LONG-TIME RESIDENTS, PRESENTS AN INTERESTING VIEWPOINT OF VISTA AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE DURING THEEARLY FORMATIVE YEAR

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 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 June 2025.

    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 September 1982.

    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.