South Carolina Historical Society

Analysis

South Carolina Historical Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Charleston, SC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1941, 85 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 December 2023, South Carolina Historical Society reported income of $1.2m and spending of $1.6m, spending 131% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $1.8m to $1.2m (-29%), an average of -8.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income dropped by 46%. Over the whole period it spent 110% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, South Carolina Historical Society sits at the 88th percentile: it is larger than about 88% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 82nd percentile, and in the 85th percentile within SC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Battle of Flowers Association ($1.2m), St Louis Black Repertory Company Inc ($1.2m) and Vermont Folklife Center ($1.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 72% and program service revenue 11% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $180k (11% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $361k. At year end it held assets of $10.2m against liabilities of $21k, net assets of $10.1m. It reported 16 employees.