Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Analysis

Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania is a registered charity in United States, based in Pittsburgh, PA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1949, 77 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania reported income of $13.1m and spending of $11.8m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $17.7m to $13.1m (-26%), an average of -7.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income dropped by 56%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 95th percentile within PA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include J B Speed Art Museum ($13.1m), Milwaukee Public Museum Inc ($13.1m) and School of American Ballet Inc ($13.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 61% and program service revenue 23% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $724k (6.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $4.5m. It paid $60k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $64.6m against liabilities of $5.0m, net assets of $59.6m. It reported 185 employees.