Is Jackson Historical Society Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, reaching over $1 million in 2024.
No reported liabilities across all filing periods.
0% reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
Low expense ratios relative to revenue in recent years (e.g., 2024: $19,619 expenses on $97,834 revenue).
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) demonstrating transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Jackson Historical Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jackson Historical Society

Is Jackson Historical Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Jackson Historical Society (EIN: 20335083) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Jackson Historical Society a good charity to donate to?

Jackson Historical Society has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $1.2M. Assets: $2.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Jackson Historical Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Jackson Historical Society is 20335083. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Jackson Historical Society spend its money?

Jackson Historical Society allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Jackson Historical Society's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Jackson Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 20335083 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

The Jackson Historical Society demonstrates consistent financial stability with growing assets over the past decade, reaching $1,069,907 in 2024. The organization's revenue streams appear somewhat variable, with a notable dip to $0 in 2020, which warrants further investigation, though it quickly recovered. Their spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by their low expense ratios relative to revenue in recent years (e.g., $19,619 expenses on $97,834 revenue in 2024). The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation falls below reporting thresholds, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay.

The organization's financial health is generally robust, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities (which are reported as $0 across all filings). This strong asset base provides a solid foundation for long-term sustainability. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the overall low expense figures relative to revenue suggest a lean operational model. The absence of reported liabilities is a significant strength, indicating sound financial management and a lack of debt burden. The variability in revenue, however, suggests a reliance on potentially inconsistent funding sources, which could be a point of vulnerability if not diversified.

Transparency appears high regarding executive compensation, with no reported officer compensation, which is a strong positive. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods also indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure. To fully assess spending efficiency, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses would be beneficial, but based on the available data, the organization appears to manage its resources effectively.

Is Jackson Historical Society Legit?

Verdict: Jackson Historical Society appears trustworthy

Red Flags