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Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation

EIN 95-4739699 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EXPLORE AND PRESENT THE HISTORY OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND ITS IMPACT ON GLOBAL LIFE AND CULTURE.

Income
$28.0 million
Spending
$28.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
16.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 37%
Employees
249
Volunteers
166
Highest pay
$575,951, executive director

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    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 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. $13.1 million spent. EXHIBITS PROGRAMS PRESENT THE MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THIS INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PERMANENT AND ROTATING EXHIBITS, AS WELL AS THE DISSEMINATION OF MUSEUM CONTENT THROUGH ONLINE CHANNELS.
  2. $7.1 million spent. COLLECTIONS AND CURATORIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION AND PRESERVATION OF COLLECTION OBJECTS THAT ADVANCE THE MISSION OF THE MUSEUM. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION OF COLLECTION VEHICLES AND OTHER OBJECTS. THE MUSEUM ALSO ACQUIRES, PRESERVES, AND ARCHIVES TWO DIMENSIONAL OBJECTIONS (PRINTED MATTER, PHOTOGRAPHS, DIAGRAMS, ETC.), BOOKS AND FILMS RELATED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD. CURATORIAL STAFF CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PRODUCE WRITTEN CONTENT THAT INTERPRET THESE OBJECTS FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS FOR SCHOLARS.
  3. $3.3 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE MUSEUM ENDEAVORS TO EXPOSE AND TEACH CHILDREN AND ADULTS ABOUT THE AUTOMOBILE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE WORLD AND CULTURE. SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMS INCLUDE TOURS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SUPPORT OF THEIR CURRICULA, HANDS-ON TRAINING ON AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR AND CUSTOMIZATION FOR TEENS, DISPLAYING VEHICLES IN PUBLIC AUTOMOTIVE SHOWS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING SPEAKERS, FILMS, AND OTHER EXPERIENCES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 January 2000.

    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.

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