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Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Also known as See Part III Line 4A
Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania reported $22.1 million in revenue and $13.8 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $74.85 went to program services, $17.61 to management and general costs and $7.54 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 91.6% of the total. Government grants made up 10.4%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $379,697 (PRESIDENT & CEO). 6 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 181% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $14MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $22M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$73.26 $18M
- Government grants$9.37 $2.3M
- Program service revenue$13.95 $3.4M
- Other revenue$3.42 $837K
Investment income was negative: −$2.4M. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 74.8% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 17.6% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 7.5% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.05 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 91.6% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 10.4% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 15.5% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $379,697 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.75% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 71.2 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 53 of 54 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseExhibition admissions:the Historical Society of Western pennsylvania is the oldest cultural institution in pittsburgh (founded in 1879) and the largest history museum in pennsylvania. The Historical Society operates and does business as the senator john heinz history center with a family of museums that also includes the western pennsylvania sports museum, the detre library & archives, the museum conservation center, fort pitt museum, and meadowcroft rockshelter & historic village.see continuation on schedule o.with many local, state, and national partnerships, we have a broad reach and are…
Public information programs:the history center offers a full schedule of exhibitions and programs in partnership with local, regional, and national organizations, meant to advance our mission and core initiatives such as america 101. With america 101 we encourage history and civic education and action, creating resources for younger generations and supporting them in finding ways to meaningfully participate in building a better future based on our past
Historic life event rentals and commissions:as pennsylvania's largest history museum and the region's oldest cultural institution, the history center is dedicated to preserving memories and commemorating and celebrating major events - not just the many ways pittsburgh has shaped the world, but business and personal histories as well. These events are all part of the fabric of what makes pittsburgh an extraordinary city and fosters an appreciation for history for western pennsylvanians and visitors to our region
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT & CEO Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $352,325 | $0 | $27,372 | $379,697 |
| EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $164,008 | $0 | $21,028 | $185,036 |
| VICE PRESIDENT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $148,433 | $0 | $14,469 | $162,902 |
| CFO & VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $150,000 | $0 | $371 | $150,371 |
| CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $122,185 | $0 | $13,845 | $136,030 |
| CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $115,859 | $0 | $13,541 | $129,400 |
6 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $694K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b54 · 53 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aNo
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5183
- Volunteers Part I, line 6185
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| MACBRACEY CORPORATION Construction contractor | $2,807,933 |
| OST SERVICES Hvac equipment contractor | $516,648 |
| DESMONE ARCHITECTS Architecture services | $426,081 |
| TUDI MECHANICAL Hvac equipment contractor | $362,232 |
| ELY INC Museum services | $243,998 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 13 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
8 private foundations reported grants to Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania totaling $1.0M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania spent in FY2025, $74.85 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Technology ReviewCambridge, MA · revenue $22M · programs 85.4% · FY2025
- The Childrens MuseumBoston, MA · revenue $22M · programs 76.3% · FY2025
- Fair Park FirstDallas, TX · revenue $22M · programs 86.7% · FY2025
- Seattle OperaSeattle, WA · revenue $22M · programs 78.9% · FY2025
- The Adler PlanetariumChicago, IL · revenue $22M · programs 71.0% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in Pennsylvania
Questions people ask
How much of Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania reported that 74.8% of its $13.8 million in expenses went to program services, 17.6% to management and general and 7.5% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $379,697, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania get its money?
Of $22.1 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 91.6% came from contributions and grants (including 10.4% from government grants) and 15.5% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 25-0965391 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202621119349300407 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202541129349300904 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202401239349301660 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202311309349302046 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202201339349301690 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202111329349303296 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 25-0965391: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.