Penacook Historical Society

Penacook Historical Society maintains substantial assets despite consistent operational deficits and volunteer-led operations.

EIN: 20486666 · Penacook, NH · NTEE: A80 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$30KRevenue

$2.0MAssets

85/100Mission Score (Excellent)

A80

About Penacook Historical Society

Penacook Historical Society (EIN: 20486666) is a nonprofit organization based in Penacook, NH, classified under NTEE code A80. The organization reported total revenue of $30K and total assets of $2.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Penacook Historical Society's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Penacook Historical Society demonstrates consistent financial transparency through its regular IRS 990 filings, with 13 filings available. The organization maintains a substantial asset base, recently reported at $1,994,767, which significantly outweighs its minimal liabilities (e.g., $924 in 2023). This strong asset position suggests long-term stability, likely due to endowments or investment holdings, which is typical for historical societies. However, the organization consistently operates at a deficit, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $26,272 against revenues of $15,549. This trend indicates reliance on its existing asset base or prior large contributions, rather than operational revenue covering annual costs.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses within the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that the organization is run by volunteers, which is a significant indicator of efficiency and dedication to its mission. The relatively low annual expenses, ranging from $7,906 to $38,350 over the years, also point to a lean operational structure. The large revenue spike in 2014 ($676,964) followed by significantly lower revenues in subsequent years suggests a major one-time contribution or asset sale, which likely contributed to its substantial asset base.

Overall, the Penacook Historical Society appears financially stable due to its significant assets and low liabilities. While it consistently runs an operational deficit, its volunteer-led structure and transparent reporting of no officer compensation are strong positive indicators. The primary area for further analysis would be the specific allocation of its modest annual expenses to understand its program spending efficiency more deeply.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Penacook Historical Society with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 15%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Penacook Historical Society allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The Penacook Historical Society reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is entirely volunteer-based, which is highly commendable for an organization of its size with nearly $2 million in assets.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Penacook Historical Society's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent operational deficits (e.g., $15,549 revenue vs. $26,272 expenses in 2023)
Reliance on asset drawdowns to cover annual expenses

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Penacook Historical Society:

Substantial asset base ($1,994,767) providing long-term stability
Minimal liabilities ($924 in 2023)
0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrating transparency

Frequently Asked Questions about Penacook Historical Society

Is Penacook Historical Society a good charity?

Based on the available data, the Penacook Historical Society appears to be a good charity. It has a strong asset base ($1,994,767), minimal liabilities ($924 in 2023), and operates with 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven model and efficient use of resources at the leadership level. While it consistently runs an operational deficit, its long-term financial stability is not immediately threatened due to its substantial assets.

How does the organization fund its operations given consistent deficits?

The organization likely funds its operational deficits by drawing from its substantial asset base, which has grown to $1,994,767. The significant revenue spike in 2014 ($676,964) suggests a major contribution or endowment that has provided long-term financial stability, allowing it to cover annual expenses that exceed more recent, lower revenues.

What caused the large revenue increase in 2014?

The IRS 990 data shows a revenue of $676,964 in 2014, a significant outlier compared to other years. This likely represents a major one-time donation, bequest, or a substantial investment gain, which significantly boosted the organization's overall assets.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Penacook Historical Society showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Penacook Historical Society's revenue has declined by 75.1%, moving from $62K to $16K. Total assets increased by 112.1% over the same period, from $848K to $1.8M. Total functional expenses fell by 53.6%, from $57K to $26K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Penacook Historical Society reported a deficit of $11K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $924 in liabilities against $1.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $1.8M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$16K	$26K	$1.8M	$924	—	View 990
2022	$4K	$38K	$1.7M	$923	—	—
2021	$10K	$20K	$1.9M	$923	—	—
2020	$5K	$14K	$1.7M	$923	—	View 990
2019	$6K	$14K	$1.6M	$923	—	View 990
2018	$4K	$20K	$1.7M	$921	—	View 990
2017	$5K	$18K	$1.6M	$921	—	View 990
2016	$32K	$23K	$1.6M	$920	—	View 990
2015	$18K	$21K	$1.6M	$920	—	View 990
2014	$677K	$8K	$1.6M	$919	—	View 990
2013	$-6,527	$7K	$924K	$919	—	View 990
2012	$-8,900	$6K	$832K	$514	—	View 990
2011	$62K	$57K	$848K	$514	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $16K, expenses of $26K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +329.9% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $4K, expenses of $38K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -65.1% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $10K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +120.9% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $5K, expenses of $14K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -15.4% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $6K, expenses of $14K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +35.1% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $4K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -25.1% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $5K, expenses of $18K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -82.8% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $32K, expenses of $23K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +74.0% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $18K, expenses of $21K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -97.3% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $677K, expenses of $8K, and assets of $1.6M.
2013: Revenue of $-6,527, expenses of $7K, and assets of $924K.
2012: Revenue of $-8,900, expenses of $6K, and assets of $832K (revenue -114.3% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $62K, expenses of $57K, and assets of $848K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Penacook Historical Society is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.