Investigation

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER - NO ALLEGATIONS OF ANY MALFEASENCE, NEGLIGENCE, OR ANY WRONGDOING, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL, IS BEING ALLEGED.

Calling all investigators – armchair detectives are welcome! This is not an accusation but merely an observation that issues have been raised regarding the museum, its nonprofit status, and ways to stop potential changes that appear to be non-related to the nonprofit’s mission.

The purpose of this page is simply to provide information to the public regarding governmental entities responsible for oversight of nonprofits and other organizational entities. Additionally, information is given about publicly available documents, which are a matter of public record, for your own resource and edification. This is a list of resources, governmental entities, and documents that may be useful in case you want to go down that avenue of interest.

  1. California Attorney General (AG)

    The AG's office oversees charitable activities in the state, and its Registry of Charities and Fundraisers is the most important source for investigating a nonprofit.

    You can use the registry's search tool to find and download the following public records:

    • IRS Form 990 (or 990-EZ/990-PF): The nonprofit's annual federal tax return.

    • California Form RRF-1: The annual renewal registration form filed with the AG.

    • Articles of Incorporation or Trust Instrument: The nonprofit's official founding document.

    • Registry correspondence: Letters or other communications between the nonprofit and the Attorney General's office.

    • Professional Fundraiser Reports: If the nonprofit uses commercial fundraisers, you can access reports detailing the revenue and the portion of donations that went to the charity.

  2. California Secretary of State (SOS)

    The SOS handles corporate filings and can provide information about a nonprofit's legal status. You can search the SOS website for the following documents:

    • Statement of Information (Form SI-100): This form is filed every two years and contains basic corporate information, such as the names and addresses of directors and officers.

    • Articles of Incorporation: The official founding document filed with the state to create the nonprofit corporation.

  3. Internal Revenue Service (IRS):

    The IRS offers an online "Tax Exempt Organization Search" (TEOS) that provides access to federal filings. While the Form 990 is also available through the California AG, the IRS database is another source for these federal documents.

    • IRS Form 990: For public charities, the annual information return.

    • IRS Form 1023 (or 1024): The initial application for tax-exempt status, which includes detailed information about the organization's purpose and activities. You may need to submit a Form 4506-B to the IRS to request a copy of the application.

  4. California Attorney General's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers:

    This registry includes public filings for all charities registered to operate in California. Use the search tool on the California DOJ Charities website to find the March Field Museum Foundation's registration and renewal forms (Form RRF-1).

    • Compliance Status: Confirm the organization is active and up-to-date on its filing requirements.

    • Audited Financial Statements: If the museum's annual gross revenue is $2 million or more, California law requires an independent audit. The audited statements must be made public and will offer a deeper look into the museum's finances.

    • Governance: Look for the establishment of an audit committee if required. The law prohibits certain individuals, like the CEO or CFO, from serving on it, so you can check for noncompliance there.

  5. Riverside Public Records Portal:

    The City of Riverside has its own online records portal for requesting city documents, which may include any contracts or correspondence with the museum. The County of Riverside also has a portal for public records requests. Contracts and Agreements: The museum is located on the March Air Reserve Base.

    Look for any agreements or permits between the museum and local government entities, including the March Joint Powers Authority.

    Permits and Inspections: The museum's facilities are subject to inspections. Request records related to building, fire, or safety permits.

Things to Look for in Documents:

When you receive the records, focus on these details:

  • Financial reports (Form 990, Form RRF-1): Look for inconsistencies, unusually high executive compensation, excessive spending on travel or overhead, or significant transactions with related parties.

  • Founding documents (Articles of Incorporation, Form 1023): Verify that the nonprofit's actual activities align with its stated charitable purpose.

  • Statement of Information (Form SI-100): Check for up-to-date information on the board of directors and officers. Inactive or questionable board members can be a red flag.

  • Fundraiser Reports: Analyze how much of the money raised actually goes to the charity's programs versus the cost of fundraising.

  • Click HERE for info about "March Field Museum Foundation, Inc." from ProPublica

  • Click HERE for info about "March Field Foundation" from ProPublica

  • Click HERE to go to the Charity Navigator's page on March Field Museum Foundation Inc.

  • Click HERE to go to the Charity Navigator's page on March Field Foundation

Click HERE to go a google drive with publicly available financial records, updated daily.